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AN 
IMPARTIAL AND CORRECT 

HISTORY OF THE WAR 

BETWEEN THE 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

AND 

GREAT BRITAIN; 

COMPRISING 
A PARTICULAR DETAIL OP THE 

wT.lF.lL AjYD MILITAUr 0PERJ1TI0X&, 

AND A FAITHFUL RECORD OF THE EVENTS PRODU- 
CED DURING THE CONTEST. 

From its Commencement, June 18, 1812, ^o the Treaty 

of Peace^ ratified at the City of Washingtouy 

February 17, 1815. 

BY T. O'CONNOR. ^ 

iFourtl) (EDiciotT, retjtsfu anD torrmeu* 



CAREFULLY COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. 



J^EW-rORK: 
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY JOHN LOW^ 

NO. 62 VESEY-STREET. 



1817. 



District ofJVeiv^York, ss. 

EE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-third day of December, m 

the forty-first year of the Independence of the United States of 

Xj. S. America, John Low, of the said district, hath deposited, in this 

office the title of a Book, the right whereof, he claims as Proprietor 

in the words following to wit : 

" An Impartial and Correct History of the War between the United 
States of America, and Great Britain, comprising a particular detail of the 
Naval and Militaiy operations, and a faithful record of the events produced 
during the contest. From its Commencement, June 18, 1812, to the Trea- 
ty of Peace, ratified at the City of Washington, February 1 7, 1815. By T. 
O'Connor. Fourth edition, revised and corrected. Carefully compiled 
from official document!." 

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, 
•' An act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies ol 
Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies 
during the time therein mentioned. And also to an act entitled " Aii act 
supplementary to an act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of learning, 
by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and pro- 
prietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned, and extending 
the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical 
and other prints." 

THERON RUDD, 

Clerk qfehe Southern District of JVew-York, 



\ 

V 



I 



PREFACE. 



O era, in , the moral world, has excited the 
ic euriosity, or effected the general interest 
ankind, more than the discovery of a west- 
ern continent, in the year 1492. Attracted as the 
public mind was by that event, yet its resulting 
importance was not then fully anticipated by the 
most extravagant hopes, or the most acute prog- 
nostics. To convert the natural riches of tlie 
new world to the advantage of the old, was the 
only object which the kings of Europe wished to 
accomplish, or intended to essay. Neither king 
nor subject expected that the western world 
would become the seat of empires, independent 
of European rulers ; much less did they expect, 
that the future monarchs of the east would meet 
in the new world, rivals capable of opposing and 
defeating attempts at continuing in political sub- 
jection, the descendants of emigrants, led to tho 
new continent by cupidity, driven to it by perse- 
cution or banished as an expiation of their crimes. 
It was not until long after the first settlement 
of America by Europeans, that it was sagacious- 
ly observed, that, << the new world seemed destin- 
ed to give laws to the old." The observation 
drew forth but the derision or contempt of the 
hearers and readers. A prophecy so improbable, 
and which could not, it was supposed, be accom- 



4 PREFACE. 

plished, if at all, in a hundred centuries, was 
deemed too peurile to be credited, and too distant 
to be dreaded. 

The Revolutionary war gave the first substan- 
tial proof that materials for all the purposes of 
self government existed in America. In propor- 
tion as the genius and resources of the inhabitants 
were developed, in the same degree did they find 
advocates in diiTerent parts of the world, who 
either saw with pleasure the successful prospect 
which opened itself to the people of the United 
States, (late British colonies,) secretly encour- 
aged and relieved them, or openly supported and 
assisted them. The happy termination of this 
contest, led to the belief, that the theories of po- 
litical prophets were not only probable, but their 
consummation less distant than had been hither- 
to supposed. 

The United States, having by the treaty of 
peace of 1783, become a nation by the consent of 
all other nations, had as if to begin the world, 
without any other capital than the virtue of the 
citizens, and without security against foreign 
aggression, except what could be drawn from 
their own courage and patriotism. 

As yet their population was little more than 
three millions of inhabitants ; the want of a well 
consolidated confederation rendered tbe govern- 
ment weak ; and the many incidents and difficul- 
ties attending the attempt to reconcile various 
interests with a general principle, increased this 
difficulty. The speculations as to the future des- 



PREFACE. 5 

tinies of tlie people were various. England had 
concluded peace pro forma, but she continued 
hostile in fact. Great Britain was but a small 
island^ yet her sovereign was a king over exten- 
sive regions, and many islands in various parts of 
the globe : the example of several of lier colonies 
rejecting her authority, and uniting in support of 
each other, was dangerous to the parent country ; 
it was found impossible to subdue them by force, 
it was determined to do so by intrigue, corrup- 
tion and robbery. 

The colonies remedied one great inconvenience 
by forming a general constitution in 1789, which 
stands an unrivalled instance of patriotism, wis- 
dom, and justice ; a rapid growth of population, 
and extension of commerce, a cultivation of liter- 
ature, arts and sciences, were fast advancing to a 
point that would outrival England in every respect. 
As this state of things advanced in America, 
England proceeded to measures of increased vio- 
lence and injustice. Seeking for pretexts, in prin- 
ciples novel, unknown to other nations, and even 
contravening her own established practice, she left 
to America the alternative of submission to her will 
or resistance by war ; the latter was resorted to. 
The history of the Revolutionary war is al- 
ready before the public. It is a valuable record 
of what men determined to be free, can do. This 
war brought into a phalanx that mass of military 
patriotism, which under the immortal Warren, 
eommenced its career of glory at Bunker-hiil | 

A % 



6 PREFACE. 

and terminated it, under the immortal Washing- 
ton, at York-town. 

The task, now undertaken, must be interest- 
ing to every eitizen of the United States. A re- 
cord of the second struggle against the same en- 
emy, who during seven years of revolutionary 
contest, carried fire and sword, the bayonet, the 
halter, and the tomahawk, throughout the Unit- 
ed States, will surely be an acceptable treat. 

The military talents which sprang as if into a 
miraculous existence during the late war ; the 
patriotic courage which displayed itself on every 
occasion ; their successful triumphs in almost 
every battle, are proud proofs, that where genius 
is free to act, and that influenced by an cwnoi' 
patricBf no dangers are to difiSeult to overcome, 
no difficulties too great to be subdued. 

The apparent military ami oaval power of Eng- 
land was, to that of America, at the commence- 
ment of the late war, as that of the lion to the 
Iamb ; but the incensed eagle stretched forward 
his beak, and with it tore the laurel from the 
Briton's brow ; and, flying over the waters, h© 
arrested with his talons, the trident from the 
'« mistress of the deep.'* 

In giving details of these events, these imper- 
ishable monuments of American glory, a strict 
regard has been had to truth, uninfluenced by 
any unworthy consideration, and it is hoped that 
this small volume will be found to contain as co- 
pious a view of history as could reasonably be ex- 
pected within so circumscribed a compass. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR, ^c. 



AMERICA seems to have been destined, bj 
Providence, as the soil which should give birth, 
strength, and maturity to rational liberty : in 
this respect, its discovery must be considered of 
prime benefit to mankind. Columbus, a lover of 
Justice, would have fixed the residence of lib- 
erty in South America, but this extraordinary 
adventurer became the object of persecuting eu' 
vy, he was sacrinced at the shrine of ambition 
and tyranny ; and, the southern peninsula, the 
only part of the western continent which Co- 
lumbus had visited, Avas given up to cupidity, 
plunder, and the most horrific ill-treatment and 
massacre of its hospitable inhabitants. The 
fictitious riches, the gold, which it produced, 
invited an early and continued migration from 
the old to the new continent, insomuch, that the 
latter has already lost, in a great degree, its 
original uncultivated aspect; and, were the ge- 
nius of its new inhabitants not restrained by the 
policy of its rulers, would, erenow, have advanc- 
ed far towards all perfection, to which man can 
aspire. For more than 300 yeais, has South 
America bowed to the will of despots, and man 
has presented but the disgusting contrast of ty- 
rants and slaves. A patriotic flame has lately 
difi'used a gleam of lif^ht through the daikened 
atmosphere which overspread the political re- 



8 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

gion of the south ; man begins, there to assume 
the character for which God and nature had 
destined him ; and philanthropy may hope, that 
the present generation will not pass away, until 
liberty will smile over every part of America, 
and all its inliabitants be happy. 

The inordinate ambition of hereditary gov- 
ernments, and their just jealousness of each oth- 
er, have given an unbounded spring to the desire 
of extended dominion and foreign conquests. — 
This spirit, however injurious, has, in some re- 
spects, contributed towards the increased know- 
ledge of geography, the diffusion of general in- 
formation, and the facilitating of a social inter- 
course between the inhabitants of distant re- 
gions. 

England, famed for the adventurous spirit of 
its inhabitants, and the unequalled ambition of 
its sovereigns, could not remain an indifferent 
spectator of an European rival taking posses- 
sion of a new world. Expeditions were soon 
formed for the more perfect discovery of the 
new continent. John Cabot, having obtained 
a commission from Henry the 7th of England, 
to discover unknown lands, and annex them to 
the crown, discovered the eastern coast of North 
America ; Sir Francis Drake, subsequently, 
sailed along it ; and England, by right of prior 
discovery, claimed its sovereignty. Gold mines 
are generally confined to tropical climates ; the 
soil of North America, contiguous to the sea, 
appeared to be light, sandy, or unfit for profita- 
ble cultivation ,• the climate was variable and 
unhealthy ; the aborigines were more savage 
and inhospitable than those of the south. No 
adequate inducement presented itself to new set- 
tlers ; and, had the inhabitants of England b» 



HISTORY OF THE WAB. 9 

necessity for quitting their native country, tliey 
never would discover a wish to transfer their 
residence to the then inhospitable climate of 
North America. A stimulus was not long 
wanting/ 

The granting of immense tracts of uncultiva- 
ted wilds to individuals or companies, was not 
likely to induce any rapid settlement. Individ- 
uals might, for the purpose of enhancing the 
value of their personal fortunes, influence 
emigrants to settle on their new estates ; and 
these settlers, having changed their residence, 
might he compelled to abide by a choice from 
which it would be diiScult or impossible to re- 
cede. Rut their reports and their fate would 
reach their friends ; emigration would cease or 
lie too slow for any efficient purpose : decrease 
of population, h} insalubrity of climate, and the 
inroads of Indians, would belittle, if at all, over- 
balanced by births, and the accession of trans- 
ported felons. 

Man, in all stages, is a lover of liberty, rea- 
son dictates that he has rights ; but this reason 
obscured by artificial ignorance and enervated 
by habitual bondage, becomes incapable of ac- 
tion, and insensible to the true extent of his mise- 
ry. The slave feels pain, without knowing 
whence it originates, or how it should be reme- 
died. This observation is strictly applicable 
only to corporeal slavery. The slavery, exer- 
cised over (he conscience, is that, in support of 
which no sophistry can prevail ; and, to which, 
no term, no length of enduran'je, can reconcile 
the sufferer. No prescription can justify the 
practice of enslavement in any case ; and no 
slave, however abject, will admit it in cases af- 
fecting his conscience. God has instilled, into 



40 HI3T0HT OF THE WAR, 

the heart of man, certain religious duties ; and, 
whenever the fulfihnent of these is forhidden by 
human edicts, the injured person fears not to 
revolt or seek au asylum against persecution. 
With God on his side, he fears no other power, 
and can he happy in a wilderness or in a cave. 

It is not now necessary to enter into a detailed 
view of the persecutions against Christians in 
Europe. Who that has not heard of them ? It 
is sufficient to observe, that no difficulties, real 
or imaginary, could deter the persecuted Chris- 
tians from seeking an asylum, where, free from 
interruption, they might adore their God, as 
conscience dictated. America oflered that asy- 
lum ; and to this circumstance it is due, that 
the wilderness is so fast giving way to cultiva- 
tion ; the internal resources of the country have 
been explored and rendered operative, the seem- 
ing insurmountable objects of the new coun- 
try have disappeared, and a state of comfort 
equal to that of any part of Europe has been 
produced. 

This comfort was wickedly marred by the 
British Government, while it ruled the North 
American colonies. A desire to proceed to the 
chief object of this work, and its limits preclud- 
ing any particular recital of these evils, leaves 
only room to remark, that they were such as to 
create much unhappiness in the co>onJf Sj to pro- 
duce complaints, remonstrances, and petitions 
to the mother country ; and finally, were car- 
ried to such excess, as to be no longer suffer- 
able. 

On the ever to be remembered 4th July, 1776, 
the people of these colonies, by their represen- 
tatives in congress assembled, having published 
a moderate, but firm, ft grievous, but true state- 



HISTORY OF THE >VAR. 11 

ment of the multiplied injuries, inflicted on tliem, 
by the British king and government, declared 
that the united colonies *• are, and of right 
ought to be, free and independent states." TJiese 
United colonies consisted of the states of New- 
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, Con- 
necticut, NevvYork, New- Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, 
South Carolina, and Georgia ; leaving England 
in possession of the provinces of Upper and Lower 
Canada, New-Brunswick, and Nova-Seotia. 

The contest, which succeeded, was looked on 
by the world, with astonishment : its novelty 
and its importance excited general interest. A 
few people, without an army, without arms, 
without discipline, or munitions of war, without 
money, without allies, opposing their imorgan- 
ized force against a nation rich and powerful, 
with numerous ships, armies, and navies, hav- 
ing discipline, money, credit, and all the means 
of warfare, and being in possession of the colo- 
nies, the inhabitants of which declared them- 
selves absolved from all allegiance to the crown 
of Great Britain, was a crisis of uncommon rao- 
ment. The contest was long and severe ; a blood- 
thirsty vengeance on one side, led the British to 
the most shameful excesses ; a determination to 
live free or die, guided the people of America, 
under the direction of the great Was tiixGTON, 
and the other sages and patriots in the field 
and the cabinet, to a completion of all they 
wanted, all they wished. Tyranny looked down, 
liberty rejoiced, on the completion of the happy 
triumph. 

The wound inflicted on the pride and interest 
of England, by this disruption of her empire, 
was truly great, but still greater than was then 



1^ BISTORT OF THE WAR, 

contemplated. Under the dominion of England, 
the increase of population would be slow, the 
increase of commerce and manufactures still 
slower : the country would be a warehouse for 
British manufactures, the inhabitants, a nursery 
for British armies and navies. It was necessary 
that a people should be free ; that genius should 
be unchecked, industry unrestrained, in order 
to prove how far free men were superior to 
whatever theory could conceive of them. The 
experiment has been successfully tried in the 
United States. 

The country of a monarch would not in a cen- 
tury recover from injury such as had been suf- 
fered by the United States. But the people of 
America felt all their toils and losses compen- 
sated by the acquisition of freedom ; they stood 
erect, and, as if by magic, appeared in all the 
might of a nation. In less than thirty years, 
their country shook off the appearance of a howl- 
ing wilderness, their population increased three- 
fold, their manufactures increased so as to sup- 
ply nearly all their wants, and every sea wit- 
nessed their immensely increased external trade ; 
in short they became the rivals of England. 

A long course of wars, and the revolutionary 
war of America, more than any other, increased 
the national debt of Great Britain to a great and 
burthens ome amount. To meet this exigency, 
as well as to gratify the national wish, and to 
provide for the further and growing charges in 
support of foieign colonies, an increased trade 
was necessary. The industry of Englishmen 
showed itself in the successful and unparalleled 
extension of her manufactures, and the policy 
of her rulers, aimed at ku undivided foreign 
commerce, in support of the home system* 



HISTORY OF TUE WAJi. 13 

The naval successes of Britain, during the 
French war, liad ncarSy accomplished her vast 
design. The ships of Holland, France, Portu- 
gal, Spain, and Italy, had nearly disappeared 
from the ocean ; those of Kussia, and the other 
naval powers of the north of Europe, had heen 
gained over to the British interest, or destroyed 
by the superiority of her fleets. The United 
States, although in a state of infancy, was yet 
the only nation that had virtue or couiage suffi- 
cient to move in a just course, uninfluenced by 
intrigue, and unintimidated by menace. To- 
wards this nation, Britain for years manifested 
the most ungenerous, injurious and cowardly 
conduct ; amounting, in its effects, to war, while 
the United States pursuing an honourable and 
pacific course, was debarred from making repri- 
sal. This one sided war, had it been permitted 
to continue, would have sunk the States in the 
esteem of foreign nations, dried up the sources of 
their growing greatness, reduced iheni to a state 
of contemptible imbe^ilitv', and, not improbably, 
to a merited slate of dependance — they might 
again become colonies — British colonies. 

Hitherto the Americans looked but little to 
home manufactures, the capital of the merchant 
was employed on the ocean, and the people of 
the interior found sufficient employment in til- 
ling the soil. There was a great and proiita- 
ble demand for every kind of produce, and the 
citizens were in the habit of receiving manufac- 
tures of all kinds from foreign nations, and par- 
ticularly from England. 

Had England been siitisSed to contend for 
commercial superiority by fair nipansj she 
would long, very long, continue to supply the 
United States with alnjost every kind ol nisifsii- 

B 



• ±h HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

facture ; but she calculated that the pacific pol- 
icy of the States would continue, and that the 
political disputes among her own citizens would 
^ render her a weak enemy even in war ; and it 
is even probable, that the resuhjugation of the 
eolonies were in a certain expected eyent con- 
templated. That event was to be the overthrow 
of France. Had tbe Uiiited Slates unresisting- 
ly submitted until the restoration of the Bour- 
bons, she would then have had w at' with a ven- 
geance. 

<• The history of the present king of Great 
Britain, (says the declaration of independence) is 
a history of repeated injuries and usurpations." 
This would, at this day be a just representation 
of the conduct of Great Britain, from the ter- 
mination of the revolutionary, to the eommence- 
inent of the present war. Instead of dwelling 
more minutely on it, it is sufficient to say, that 
it was so continued, so muitiplied and multifa- 
rious, that the United States had no alteinative, 
but submission to wrongs by which they would 
be degraded as a nation, or an appeal to arms. 
The latter was resorted to. 

On Monday, the 1st of June, a confidential 
message was received, in both chambers of Con- 
gress, from the President of the United S(ates, 
Avhich was read with closed doors, and referred, 
hi each house, to committees to report thereon. 

The British aggressions, to which the Presi- 
dent, in a particular manner, called the atten- 
tion of Congress, were, 

1. Impressments of American citizens while sail- 
ing on the highway of nations, dragging them on 
herd their ships of Vv'ar, and forcing them to serve 
against nations in amity with the United States, and 
even to assist on aggressions on their fellow-citizens 
when met on the hirh seas. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 15 

2. Violating tlie rights and peace of our coasts 
and harbours, harassing our departing commerce, 
and wantonly spilling American blood within our 
territorial jurisdiction. 

3. Under pretended blockades, plundering our 
commerce in every sea, no adequate force being ap« 
plied to render such blockades legal, and their being 
enforced from the date of the notification, by which 
they had a retrospective effect. 

4. Illegal blockades, under the name of Orders in 
Council. 

5. The employment of a secret agent, within the 
United States, with a view to subvert our govern- 
ment, and dismember the Union. 

6. Encouraging the savage Indians to make war 
on the people of the United States. 

The blockade, under the name of Orders in 
Council, was the only charge which tire British 
niiuisler pretended to justify ; and this is not on 
any law of nations, but as an act of necessary re- 
taliation on France, for equally illegal blockades, 
under the names of Berlin and Milan decrees. 
It sbouid he here remarked, that one of the Bri- 
tish illegal acts Avas dated in May, 1806, and 
could not be a retaliation, because it was ante- 
cedent to the French decrees. It should also 
be observed, that the British, after the publica- 
tion of the French decrees, declared that the 
blockade of May, 1806, was comprehended in the 
Orders in Council, dated subsequent to the 
French decrees; thus endeavouring to prove that 
a bloiikade, actually instituted before the French 
decrees, must be considered as properly com- 
menced after the promulgation of the French 
decrees. 

The object of this manoeuvre, was to declare, 
that should the French decrees, be repealed, the 
repeal of the British Orders in Couacil should 



46 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

follow, and thus each belligerent proceed to re^ 
peal their respective edicts, pari passu, accord- 
ing to their respective dates, until all the otfen- 
sive decrees should he annulled. 

When, however, the French decrees had been 
annulled, the British, under the most equivocat- 
ing, flimsy, and false pretexts, continued to act 
on their Drders in Council, until after the decla- 
ration of war by America. It is true that the 
British government could not be acquainted witli 
the declaration of war at the time of the repeal 
of the Orders in Council, it must, however, be 
conceded, that they were acquainted with the 
American embargo, which was generally under- 
stood to be preparatory to war ; nor could they 
doubt that war would be declared, unless they 
believed that America had lost all political vir- 
tue. A state of war superseded all use which 
the British eould make of the Orders in Council. 
Their repeal was marked by the greatest con- 
tempt for, and insult to the United States. 

Mr. Calhoun, from the committee of foreign 
relations, to whom the President's message was 
referred, by the house of Representatives, made 
a long and luminous report of the Sd June, 1812, 
which concluded by recommending an appeai. 
TO arms. 

The report was, after two ineftoctual motions 
to have the doors opened, ordered to lie on the 
table. 

Mr. Calhoun, from the same committee, on 
leave given, presented a bill, declaring war be- 
tween Great Britain and her dependencies, and 
tlie United States, and their territories. This 
bill was warmly opposed and debated for two 
days ; when the question being taken, shall the 
said bill pass ? It was resolved in the afiirma^ 
tivc. 



HISTORr OF THE WAR. 17 

The Yeas and Najs were as follows : 
' YEAS. 

JS/'ewHamfishire. Dinsmoor, Hall, and Harper — 3. 

Massachusetts. Seaver, Carr, Green, Richardson, 
Turner, and Widgery. — 6. 

Rhode-Island, JS"one. 

Vermont. Fisk, Shaw, and Strong. — 3. 

Connecticut. None. 

NewYork. Pond, Avery, and Sage. — 3. 

J^ew' Jersey. Condit, and Morgan. — 2. 

Pennsylvania. Seybert, Anderson, Brown, Ro- 
berts, Findley, Smilie, Lyle, Whitehiil, Bard, Davis, 
Lefever, Hyneman, Piper, Lacock, Crawford, and 
Smith 16. 

Delaware. None. 

Maryland. Kent, Little, M^Kin, Ringgold, Brown, 
and Archer. — 6. 

Virginia. Nelson, Gholson, Goodwyn, Newton, 
Taliaferro, Dawson, Basset, Smith, Hawes, Roane, 
M'Koy, Pleasants, Clopton, and Burwell. — 14. 

JVorth'Carolina. Alston, Blackledge, Macon, King, 
Cochran, and Pickens. — 6. 

South-Carolina. Williams, Cheves, Lowndes, But- 
ler, Calhoun, Eurle, Winn, and Moore — 8. 

Georgia. Troup, Bibb, and Hall. — 3. 

Kentucky. Johnson, Desha, New, M'Kee, and 
Ormsby. — 5. 

Tennessee. Rhea, Grundy, and Sevier. — 3. 

Ohio. Morrow. — 1. 

NAYS. 

J^eiV' Hampshire. Bartlett,and Sullivan, — 2, 

Alassachusetts. Quincy, Reed, Taggart, Ely, 
Brigham, Wljite, Tallman, and Wheaton. — 8. 

Rhode-Island. Potter and Jackson. — 2. 

Vermont. Chittenden. — 1. 

Connecticut. Sturges, Davenport, Mosely, Champ-- 
ton, Tallmadge, Pitkin, and Law. — 7. 

Nevi'York, Bleecker, Emot, Cooke, Fitch, Gold^ 
R 2 



18 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

Sammons, Stow, Tracy, Van Cortlandt, Mitchell, and 
Metcalf. — 11. 

J^eiU'Jersey, Boyd, Hufty, Maxwell, and New- 
bold.— 4. 

Pennsylvania, Milnor and Rodman. — 2. 

Delaware. Ridgely 1. 

Maryland. Key, Goldsborough, and Stewart. — 1. 

Virginia. Randolph, Lewis, Baker, Breckenridge, 
and Wilson 5. 

J^orth'Carolina, Pearson, M'Brydc, and Stan- 
ford. — 3. 

South-Carolina. None. 

Georgia. None. 

Kentucky, None. 

Tennessee. None. 

Ohio, None. 

Yeas 79 
Nays 49 

Majority for War 30 

On the 5th of June, a confidential message 
was received by the Senate, from the Louse of 
Kepresentatives, by Mr, Macon and Mr. Find- 
If^y, two of their members — Mr. Macon, chair* 
man : 

*' Mr. President — The House of Representatives 
have passed a bill, entitled, ' An act declaring war 
between Great Britain and her dependencies and the 
XJnited States, and their territories ; in which they 
ask the concurrence of the Senate;* and request that 
the bill be considered confidentially.'* And they 
•withdrew. 

The bill, from the House of Representatives, 
was before the Senate, from day to day, until 
the 17 til June. It underwent a very enlarged 
fliscussion, met with much and violent oppo- 
sitiou^ but fij^ally passed that body on the latter 



HISTORY or THE WAR. 19 

day; there appearing for its passage, 19 ; against 
it, 13. 

The act was passed into a law on the 18th, in 
the following words : 

AN ACT 

Declaring' War between the United Kingdom of 

Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies 

thereof y and the United Statea of America, and 

their territories, 

BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Re fire- 
sentatives of the United States of America, in Con- 
gress assembled, That WAR be, and the same is 
hereby declared to exist between the United King- 
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependen- 
cies thereof, and the United States of America, and 
their terri!ories ; and that the President of the Unit- 
ed States be, and he is hereby authorised to use the 
whole land and naval force of the United States, to 
carry the same into effect, and to issue to private 
armed vessels of the United States, commissions or 
letters of marque and general reprisal, in such form 
as he shall think proper, and under the seal of the 
United States, against the vessels, goods, and effects 
of the government of the same United Kingdom of 
Great Britain and Ireland, and the subjects thereof. 

June 18, 1812. 
APPROVED, JAMES MADISON. 

On the following day (19th June) war was 
declared, by proclamation, the injunction of se- 
crecy being previously removed in both houses^ 
of Congress. 

A peace of nearly 50 years, during which the 
Americans attended but little to improvements 
in the arts of war, rendered them apparently a 
very unequal match for a nation whose armies 
and navies were more numerous than they had 
been at any fof mer period. The be^t friends of 



20 HISTORY or THE WAH, 

America feared raiicli for the fate of the little 
American navy. It was also supposed that our 
undiseipiined armies must experience several 
defeats from the well (rained regulars of Eng- 
land ; but those, who knew any thing of the re- 
volutionary war, feit no douht as to what would 
he the event of the prestiit. The woiiderful 
exploits, and happ> issue, that remains to be re- 
corded, will ahovv, that even the waraiest en- 
thusiasts did not probably aijileipate renown and 
glory, such as was in store for Americans. 

The public prints on bath sides, were warm 
in their dejjunciations of their respecsive oppo- 
nents, and threats of what would and could be 
performed. The following are given as speci- 
mens. 

From the London Courier. 

« America knows not that the vigour of the British 
empire increases with the necessi;y of exerting it— ~ 
that our elasticity rises with the pressure upon us — 
that difficulties oniy make us more firm and undaunt- 
ed — that dangers only give us the additional means of 
overcoming them. It is in such a state of affairs, in 
such a great crisis, that a nation like Great Britain 
becomes greater. We are now the only bulwark of 
liberty in the world — placed, a little spot, a speck al- 
most on the ocean, between the old and the new 
world, we are contending with both ; with one arm 
we are beating the armies of the master of the Con- 
tinent of Europe, and ivith the other ive shall senile 
his Prefect on the Continent of America,^* 

From the A^'eivYork Morning Post. 

« With a stone and a sling only,^ America com- 
menced the war of independence. Without arms,, 
without clothing, without money, and without credit^ 
we took the field ; relying upon stout hearts, and the 
assistance of God for the success of a righteous 



HISTORY OB THE WAR. 21 

cause. The event has proved, that with such reli- 
ances, a nation has nothing to fear. Our country has 
again thrown itself upon the protection of the Lord 
of Hosts ; we need but prove faithful to him and to 
ourselves. Victory will again crown our efforts, and 
peace and plenty reward us for our toils. Who, that 
is truly an American, will despair of the success of 
his country ; who will dare to believe we can be 
otherwise than CONQUERORS ? We had imagin* 
ed this impossible, except with the agents of the ene- 
my ; yet in a crisis so important, not only to us, but 
to posterity, we have found that the spirit of treason 
has dared to stalk abroad, even at noon day, amongst 
us. Is the enemy so strong in the camp — so confi- 
dent of support, as to hazard a fearless defiance ? 
We arc, it is true, proud to exist in a land of free-? 
dom — but when men threaten us with giving the as- 
sistance of their pens to the cause of our adversaries, 
who will hesitate to say that such freedom becomes 
traitorous V* 

The state of the regular army was, at this 
time, such as scarcely to deserve the name. — 
The militia, with the exception of a few uni- 
form companies in the cities, consisted of a yeo* 
manry and others accusfomed to parade for a 
few hours each year, some with bad arms, oth- 
ers without any. The preparations for war on 
the land, was confined to an expedition under 
the command of General Hull, of which notice 
will be taken in the proper place. The navy 
consisted of the following vessels. 

JLisi of American Vessels, and their force. 



President, 


44 


Com. Rodgers. 


Constitution, 


44 


Captain Hull. 


United States, 


44 


Decatur. 


Chesapeake 


36 


Ordinary. 


New-York 


56 


Dp. 



22 



HISTORY OE THE WAR, 



Constellation, 

Congress, 

Boston, 

Essex, 

Adams, 


36 Ordinary 
36 Capt. Smith. 
32 Ordinary. 
32 Capt. Porter. 
32 Ordinary. 




CORVETTE. 


John Adams, 


26 Capt. Ludlow. 


Wasp, 
Hornet, 


SHIPS OF WAR. 

1 6 Capt. Jones. 
1 6 Lawrence. 


Onieda, 

,Siren, 

Argus, 


BRIGS, 

16 Com. Woolsey. 
16 Lieut. Carroll. 
1 6 Crane. 




SCHOONERS. 


Vixen, 1 2 Lieut. Gasden. 
Nautilus, 3 2 Sinclair. 
Enterprise, 12 Blakely. 
Viper 12 Bainbridge, 
170 Gun Boats, Capt. Shaw. 




BOMBS. 


Vengeance, 
Spitfire, 
JEtna, 
Vesuvius, 


( Ordinary 



Commodore Rodgers, being at New-York, oa 
receiving Ibe President's proclamation, announc- 
ing war, addressed his men on the occasion, 
offering their wages and a discharge to such as 
were unwilling to risk their lives with him. A 
general huzza preceded the declaration of every 
individual to «« stand or fall with the Commo- 
dore." The anchor was lieaved, and, before 
night, the Comuiodore passed the light-house of 
Sandy-IIook, and proceeded to sea, having un- 
der Ms commaatl, the frigates President, United 



HISTORY OF THE AVAK. 23 

States, ami Congress, and the sloops of war 
Hornet and Argus. The Commodore returned 
to Boston after a cruise of 72 days, during 
^'hich he passed within one da^'^s sail of the Brit- 
ish channel, passed near the island of Madeira, 
and the Azores, and returned by the banks of 
Kcwfoundiund and Cape- Sable. He made seven 
captures and one re-capture ; and chased tv. o Fhit- 
ish frigates, one of them the Belvidera. This 
cruise was of great benefit, as it compelled the 
enemy to concentrate his force, by which a vast 
quantity of property was saved from failing into 
the enemy^s hands. 

The President, while chasing the Belvidera, 
received a considerable number of shot in her 
sails and rigging, bist was not maieriaiiy injur- 
ed. One of the President's guns bursted, by 
V'hieh three men were killed, and 19 wounded. 
By this accident, ?he Commodore's leg was frac* 
tured. The chasr lasted from 6, a. m. on the 2Zd 
June, uati! midniglit. 

On the day after the Commedove sailed, the 
following appeared m the New -York Colum- 
bian, and accounts for Urn escape of his Britan- 
nic Majesty's vessels of war, Belvidera and Tar- 
tarus, which had been for some days off Sandy- 
Hook. 

<« Tt is undoubtedly a fact, that dispatch-boats 
with informauun have been sent oft' to the British 
vessels which were cruising off tiie harbour, since 
the deciaration of war. J3y ivhom they were sent 
off, it is not necessary a^ present to mcnlion. But 
this much may, and ought to be said— that if it was 
done by an American citizen, he hiiS committed ;7'ea- 
507ibv 'the laws of the United States,^ and deserves, 
and may receive a hangino; for it. There is no f^.us- 
ncicn, however, entertained, that such an infamous 



24< HISTOKT OF THE WAK. 

act has been done by any American. As it has there- 
fore been the act of the subjects of the king of Eng- 
land, whether they are in or out of office, the act is a 
A'iolation of the hospitality which tolerates their re- 
sidencc in our city, and calls loudly upon the consti- 
tuted authorities to put the laws immediately in force 
against alien enemies, and to rid the cit^ of spies, or 
at least of such as disgrace their character by acting 
in so infamous a capacity." 

It is however a lamentable fact, that the ene- 
my had his adherents within the United States^ 
consisting of native citizens, as well as of for- 
eigners. The public were apprised of the infa- 
mous and cowardly means used by the British 
to corrupt the citizens, by the agency of hired 
incendiaries among whom the notorious John 
Henry was conspicuous. The first effusions of 
the press were watched with care; and the citi- 
zens indignant at the conduct of the British gov- 
ernment, which rendered war not only neces- 
sary, but unavoidable, were ready to construe 
every opposition to government, into an act of 
adhesion to the enemy. The spirit of 1776 
seemed to revive, and the terms " Whig" and 
« Torj'" were again coming into use. The 
party, which designated itself as "Federal," was 
long opposed to the officers of the general gov- 
ernment : and were in the practice of condemn- 
ing, opposing, and thwarting all its measures. 
This party to be consistent, also opposed the war, 
merely because it must prove injurious to Eng- 
land ; this was properly a British tory party, 
and should be distinguished from those federal- 
ists, who, notwithstanding their opposition to 
men, were yet AmeHcans, The tory endevour- 
ed to screen himself beneath the semblance of 



HISTORY OF THE WAR, 25 

Federalism^ and the federalist, who could weak- 
]y lend the mask, should not complain, if both 
should be taken for tories. 

There were several editors of federal politics 
who deserved and received the applause of their 
political opponents, for conduct pursued imme- 
diately subsequent to the declaration of war. 
The following extract from a federal paper, de- 
serves particular notice : 

Fro7n the United States* Gazette^ firinted at PMla' 
delfihia. 

" The people of this country, whatever may be 
their opinions of this incomprehensible war, demand, 
and will insist that it now be carried on with the vi- 
gour necessary to accomplish the object of all war, 
honour while it lasts, and real peace and security 
when it ends." 

A paragraph of a seemingly different com- 
plexion, appeared immediately after the decla- 
ration of war, in th« " Federal Republican," 
printed at Baltimore, and edited by Mr. Wag- 
ner. It was in the following words: 

" We mean to represent in as strong colours as we 
are capable, that the war is unnecessary, inexpedientf 
and entered into from partial, personal, and as we be- 
lieve, motives bearing upon their front, marks of un- 
disguised foreign influence, which cannot be mistak- 
en. Vt e mean to use every means of constitutional 
argument, and every legal means, to render as odious 
and suspicious to the American people, as they de- 
serve to be, the patrons and contrivers of this highly 
impolitic and destructive war, in the fullest persua- 
sion, that we shall be supported, and ultimately ap- 
plauded by liine-tenths of our countrymen, and that 
our silence would be treason to tliem." 

The citizens, in a state of high irritation, pro- 
ceeded in the evening of the ^2d June, to Mr. 
c 



26 HISTORY OP THE WAR. 

AVagner's printing-office, which was destroyed. 
This procedure was followed by some rioting ; 
and the paper was removed to Georgetown, 
(Col.) where it continued to be printed. 

On the 7th July, an order was issued from 
the department of state of the United States, re- 
cjuiring all British subjects to register their 
names, ages, places of residence, persons com- 
posing their families, &c. at the office of the 
marshal of the United States, for the district in 
which such subjects resided. This order was 
followed by others directing alien enemies, who 
were engaged in foreign commerce, to remove 
from the vicinity of the sea or tide water. The 
information constantly conveyed to the enemy^ 
from the ports and harbours of the United 
States, was supposed to render such a measure 
necessary. It would be much to the honour of 
the citizens, if this treasonable intercourse with 
the enemy were confined to aliens; subsequent 
information, obtained at the navy department 
of the United States, has sufficiently proved that 
several proiligate citizens have also held com- 
munications with, and supplied the wants of the 
enemy. 

A cartel ship arrived in July, ^t Boston, from 
Halifax, and delivered on board the U. States' 
frigate Chesapeake, three seamen, formerly ta- 
ken out of that frigate, by the British frigate 
Leopard. 

It will be recollected that the Leopard attack- 
ed the Chesapeake in time of peace, while the 
latter was unsuspicious of an attack, and unprc- 
paied for defence. Hie Chesapeake was iired 
into, boarded, and these men taken by force from 
her. 

Remonstrance on the part of the Uait^! 



HISTORY OF TUB WAR. 27 

States, was made to the British government, and 
redress demanded for this wanton breach of tlie 
laws of nations. The British government dis- 
avowed any agency in the act ; but yet promo- 
ted the commander of the Leopard, not to the 
yard arm of a ship, but to the command of a 7*. 
The restoration of these men had been, for some 
lime, promised by the British government ; it 
was pleasing to see it effected so seon after the 
declaration* of war. Whether the war had any 
influence on this transaction, must be matter of 
conjecture, in which the reader will exercise 
his own opinion. 

This is not the only instance in which war 
produced a change to those Americans who were 
impressed and confined on board British men of 
war. Several of them, having declined serving 
against their country, were sent to prison as 
prisoners of war, and became entitled to be lib- 
erated by exchange. This mode of treating 
them, after their charaeter as American citi- 
zens was acknowledged, was certainly unjust; 
they should have been fully released, not hav- 
ing been taken in time of war, or in arms, they 
were entitled to rank as non-combatants. 

On the 12th July, Mr. Foster, the late British 
minister, and Mr, Barclay late consul, departed, 
from the United States, at New-York, on board 
ihe British flag of truce Colibri. These gen- 
tlemen were much esteemed for their private 
amiable qualities. 

The first British victory over the American 
fleet, happened on the 20th of July. On this day 
the United States' schooner Nautilus, Lieutenant 
Crane, fell in with a fleet of the enemy, and was 
captured, after a chase of eight hours. Na 
honowr was lost by the Americans on this oo^ 



28 HISTORY OF THE WAR, 

easioD ; the vast disparity of force, rendered re- 
sistance as imprudent, as it would be unavailing. 
The bi'ave commander's sword was returned,^ 
by the British officer, Com. Brooke, as an ac- 
knowledgment of the skill and bravery with 
which he endeavoured to save his ship. Lieut. 
Crane, and his crew, were afterwards honourably 
acquitted, by a court of enquiry, of all censure 
in the loss of the Nautilus. 

On the 17th of the same month, the frigate 
€onstituiion, Captain Hull, chased a British fri- 
gate into a British fleet, and was chased in turn, 
on the following morning, by the enemy, consist- 
ing of a ship of the line, four frigates, a brig, 
and a schooner. The chace continued 60 hours. 
The Constitution arrived safe in Boston. The 
great address, by which Captain Hull saved his 
ship, dtew forth the admiration of the enemy, 
and the applause of his countryraen. 

It was the wish of the Americans, as they 
al.^0 endeavoured in a f&^merwar to induce the 
Indians to be neutral. Humanity and civiliza- 
tion plead in favour of a principle which would 
not add savage barbarity to the other evils of 
war 5 but unfortunately, the policy of a *< mag- 
nanimous" enemy was different. The Ameri- 
eans soon learned that the enemy had leagued 
liimself with the ruthless savage of the wilder- 
ness ; the known warfare of the tomahawk and 
scalping knife was to act in concert with the 
modern invention of rockets ; in short, all means 
within the power of the enemy were to be com* 
bined against the people of the United States. 

The first act in which the allied Indians and 
British signalized themselves, was in the taking 
of the fort of Michilimackinac, on the 17th of 
July, 1813. The garrison consisting of 57 ef^ 



nisTORir or the wak. 29 

fecdve men, including officers, was "commanded 
by Lieutenant Hi^nks, of the artillery. Tiie 
lirst notice he received of the declaration of war, 
was in the form of a summons, to surrender the 
fort and island to his Britannic Majesty's forces. 
The enemy, contemplating a state of war, had 
been for some time preparing an expedition for 
the attack of Michilimackinac. The place of 
rendezvous was St. Joseph's, a British garrison, 
distant from Michilimackinac, about i5 miles. 
So prepared were tlie British, that they were 
enabled to embark the next day, after being ap- 
prised of the declaration of war. Lieutenant 
Hanks having received information on the lOth,^ 
of the hostile attitude of the Indians, sent Cap- 
tain Daurman, of the militia, to watch the mo- 
tion of the Indians ; he embarked about sun-set, 
and met the British forces within ten or fifteen 
miles of the island, by whom he was made pri- 
soner. Every possible preparation was made by 
the garrison to resist an attack, if such should 
be attempted ; but the appearance of a powerful 
enemy, with artillery, sealing ladders, &e. induc- 
ed Lieutenant Hanks to submit to terms of capi- 
tulation, by which the fort was surrendered to 
the British forces, commanded by Capta,in Rob- 
erts. The American garrison was made prison- 
ers, and sent to the United States, not to servo 
until regularly exchanged. 

The British force consisted of regular troops, 
0.6 ; Canadian militia, 260 ; Indians, 7i:^ — To- 
tal, 1021. 

The probability of an approaching war had 
determined the United States^ government to a- 
dopt some measures necessarily preparatory to 
that event. 

On the 19lh March, 1812, Major James R. Mul- 
c ^ 



so HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

lany, of tlie infantry, was directed by the secre- 
tary of war, Dr. Eustis, to proceed to Philadel- 
pbia, and ascertain the stale of forwardness in 
which the clothing for the new troops was. This 
was executed, and report made accordingly. — 
On or about thel2(h April, orders were received 
at New- York, to commence the recruiting ser- 
vice. By this time the U. S. was divided into 
military districts, and Major Mullany appointed 
to the command of the western district, (New- 
York.) With his noted zeal and activity, he 
arrived at Geneva, on the 20th April, 1812, and 
located there, with necessary instructions, a val- 
uable officer, (Captain Mydert M. Dox.) In a 
few days, the officers assigned to this district, 
were supplied with funds and instructions, and 
martial music gave awful warning of what was 
likely to follow. The difficulties that ignorance 
and treacherous opposition excited, is no way in- 
teresting at present. Manly exertion, good judg- 
ment, and a righteous cause, surmounted every 
scheme of faction, and soared successfully over 
every species of prejudice. Citizens most noted 
for acrimonious sarcasms towards the measure* 
uecessai ily adopted at that period, soon buried 
their mistaken apprehensions in the national 
good, and were amongst the most active in aiding 
the efforts of the officers of the army. 

On the 26th of May, a circular order was 
transmitted to the following officers, having for 
jls object the concentratioii of the recruits of the 
western district, at Canandaigua, to organize 
Ihem for the field, viz. 

Captain Box, Infantry, Geneva. 

Captain M'Keon, 3d Regt. Artillery, CanaUdaigUa*. 

Captain David Scott, Infantry, Batavia. 

captain R. H. Morris, Infantry, Cayuga.. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 31 

1st Lieutenant, Wm. Clarke, Infantry, Auburn. 

1st Lieutenant, John M. O'Connor, 3d Regt. Ar- 
tillery, Buffalo. 

1st Lieutenant, Samuel Ciiipman, Infantry, Bath. 
-- 2d Lieutenant, W. Martin, Infantry, Lima. 

2d Lieutenant Henry Whiting, Infantry, BuflTalo. 
By Order,— J. R. MuUany, Maj. Comdg. 

Signedj—L H. Rees, Lt. 3d. Artillery, Adjt. 

The oiiicial news of the declaration of v»ar, 
reached Majcg* Mullany on the :^7th June, 1812, 
one day later than the express with it to the 
British, passed Canandaigua, (the head-quarters 
of the district.) The man employed on this oc- 
casion, by the friends of England, was a citizen 
of x\lbany, well known by several real patriotic 
men, residing in the western country, on whom 
be imposed. He stated that he was conveying, 
express, the news of the declaration of war, to 
Fort J^iagarat in consequence of which strata- 
gem, he succeeded in obtaining every facility, 
that money and horses could give him ; and thus 
did the British receive the news one day before 
it was known at Canandaigna, from whence may 
be dated the fall of Miehilimj;ckinac, and a 
train of other disasters on (he frontiers. Having 
delivered the despatches at Queenstown, he re- 
turned immediately. He met General Peter B. 
Porter at Batavia, who questioned him on the re- 
port then general, of such an express having 
passed, but he very adroitly escaped, and was a- 
gain interrogated on his arrival at O^nandaigua, 
by Major Mullany, who was closely watching his 
return. He soon discovered him, and placed him 
tinder guard, after reading to him the 57th ar- 
ticle of the articles of war. His deposition wa» 
taken before a master in chancery, and forward- 
ed to Governor Tompkins, the saiiie night, whom 



S2 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

it rffiched in thirty hours, distance 208 miles. 
The gentlemen who employed the despatch >vere 
taken prisoners, and held to bail, and evidence 
gi\en the governQi*, that, although the dcspittcbes 
did communicate the vote of Congress, declaring 
war, still the communication >vas simply mer- 
cantile. 

At this time the settlers on the Niagara fron- 
tier became much alarmed ; they were daily 
threatened with a visit from the Indians, and 
their houses no longer offered them safety or 
protection. Several settlements had been aban- 
doned, and nothing was heard along the frontier, 
in imagination at least, but the hostile yell of the 
relentless savage. 

The following letter (not hitherto published,) 
was, on this occasion, directed to Major Mullany : 
Black Rocky June 28y 1812. 
Sir, 

There is every reason to believe that the British 
meditate an attack on Fort Niagara, and that it may 
be attempted within twenty-four hours from this 
time/ If they once pass the river, it is impossible to 
say how far they may proceed. Under these very 
urgent circumstances I despatch an express, to re- 
quest that you will immediately march the men un- 
der your command to our assistance. Although you 
may not have received orders authorising you to 
comply with this request, I am persuaded the occa- 
sion will justify you, as your men can be of no possi- 
ble use at Canandaigua, or any other place along the 
south shore of the Lake, and are undoubtedly intend- 
ed, ultimately, for this place. Bring with you all the 
arms and ammunition in the Canandaigua arsenal. " 
In great haste, yours respectfully, 

PETER B. PORTER, Q. M. G. 
0/t/ie State of JYeiv-York, 

Major Mullany, > 

Conjm'g' Qt Cana?idai^ua. J 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. S3 

Major Mullany, in consequence of the receipt 
of this letter, marched with his command for the 
protection of the Niagara frontier. 

Another evidently material precaution, "was the 
stationing a competent force in the Michigan ter- 
ritory, for the protection of the inhabitants, 
against the incursion of the enemy, as well as 
for the purpose of acting offensively, if such 
should be deemed prudent. General Hull had 
been at the seat of Government in the spring 
previous to the declaration of war, Avhere he 
made arrangements for conducting a force to 
Detroit. He accordingly proceeded to Dayton, 
on the Mad river, one of the waters of the great 
Miami, 60 miles by land, and about 75 miles by 
water, from its mouth. Here Governor Meigs, 
of the state of Ohio, surrendered to the general 
the command of 1500 volunteers, who had been 
raised for this purpose, and v ere commanded by 
Colonels M^Arthur, Cass, and Findlay, by the 
election of the volunteers. 

On the 27th May, General Hull pitched his 
tent in camp Meigs, when ^.tbe troops being form- 
ed in a hollow square, the flag of the United 
States was unfurled, on which occasion, a short, 
but animated and impressive address, was de- 
livered by Colonel Cass. 

On the 1st June, the 4th United States' regi- 
ment, commanded by Colonel Miller, joined 
General Hull, when he resumed his march, and 
reached the rapids of the Miami about the last 
of June, having then under his command about 
2500 men. 

From Dayton to Detroit, a distance of more 
than 150 miles, the army had to cut a road thro' 
the wilderness ; the land was soft or swampy, 
and the labour of bringing on carriages and ar* 



Si HISTOllY OE THE WAR. 

tillery, excessive. The Indians showed little dis- 
position to obstruct the passage of the troops. 
Governor Meigs proceeded with the army as far 
as the Urbanna, where he held a council with 
some Indian chiefs, when it was agreed/ that 
peace should be maintained between them and the 
United States. The general put on board a ves- 
sel, the baggage and hospital stores of the army, 
with an officer and 30 men, with directions to 
sail for Detroit. The British having been ap- 
prized of the declaration of war, captured the 
vessel at Fort Maiden, mouth of Detroit river ; 
and thus the army suffered a serious loss. 

On the evening of the 12th July, General Hull 
crossed the river Detroit, which divides tho 
United States' territory of Michigan from the 
British province of Up{>er CaiJLda, and fixed his 
head quarters at the town of Sandwich, about 
two miles within the British province. From 
this place he published a proclamation, of which 
the following is a copy : 

BY WILLIAM HULL, 

Brigadier Genern?^ ^y.(^ Commander of the ^^orth 
Western army of the United States : 
A PROCLAMATION. 
Inhabitants of Canada, 

After thirty years of peace and prosperity, the 
United States have been driven to arms. The inju- 
ries and aggressions, the insults and indignities of 
Great Britain, have once more left them no alterna- 
tive but manly resistance, or unconditional submis- 
sion. The army under my command has invaded your 
country ; the standard of «he union now waves over 
the territory of Canada. To the peaceable unoffend- 
ing inhabitants, it brings neither danger nor difficulty. 
I come to find enemies, not to make them. I come 
to protect, not to injure you. 



HISTORY or TUE WAR. 35 

Separated by an immense ocean, and an extensive 
■wilderness, from Great Britain, you have no partici- 
pation in her councils, no interest in her conduct. 
You have felt her tyranny ; you have seen her in- 
justice ; but I do not ask you to avenge the one, or 
to redress the other. The United States are suffici- 
enily powerful to afford every security, consistent 
with their rights and your expectations. I tender 
you the invaluable blessing of civil, political, and re- 
ligious liberty, and their necessary result, individual 
and general prosperity ; that liberty which gave de- 
cision to our councils, and energy to our conduct, in 
a struggle for independence, which conducted us 
Safely and triumphantly through the stormy period of 
the revolution — the liberty which has raised us to 
an elevated rank among the nations of the world ; 
and which afforded us a greater measure of peace 
and security, of wealth and improvement than ever 
fell to the lot of any people. In the name of my 
country, and the authority of Government, I promise 
you protection to your persons, property, and rights ; 
remain at your homes ; pursue your peaceful and 
customary avocations ; raise not your hands against 
your brethren. Many of your fathers fought for 
the freedom and independence we now enjoy. Be- 
ing children, therefore, of the same family with us, 
and heirs of the same heritage, the arrival of an army 
of friends must be hailed by you with a cordial wel- 
come. You will be emancipated from tyranny and 
oppression, and restored to the dignified station of 
freedom. Had I any doubt of eventual success, I 
might ask your assistance ; but I do not. 1 come 
prepared for every contingency — T have a force which 
will break down all opposition, and that force is but 
the van-guard of a much greater. If, contrary to 
your own iiiterests, and the just expectation of my 
country, you should take part in the approaching con- 
test, you will be considered and treated as enemies ; 
and the horrors and calamities of war will stalk be- 
fore you. If the barbarous and savage ptjlicy of 



S6 HISTORY OF THE WAR, 

Great Britain be pursued, and the savages are let 
loose to murder our citizens, and butcher our women 
and children, this war will be a war of extermination. 
The first stroke of the tomahawk — the first attempt 
with the scalping-knife, will be the signal of one in- 
discriminate scene of desolation. No white man, 
found fighting by the side of an Indian, will be taken 
prisoner — instant death will be his lot. If the dic- 
tates of reason, duty, justice, and humanity, cannot 
prevent the employment of a force which respects 
no rights, and knows no wroTjg, it will be prevented 
by a severe and relentless system of retaliation. I 
doubt not your courage and firmness — I will not 
doubt your attachment to liberty. If you tender 
your services voluntarily, they will be accepted rea- 
dily. The United States offer you peace, liberty, 
and security. — Your choice lies between these and 
war, slavery and destruction; Choose then ; but 
choose wisely ; and may he who knows the justice 
of our cause, and who holds in his hand the fate of 
nations, guide you to a result the most compatible 
with your rights ard interests, your peace and hap- 
piness. 

By the General, 

A. P. HULL. 

^fiiain of the \5th United States* regiment of Injari' 
try, and Jid-de-Cam/i, Head-quarters) Sandwich^ 
July J 2, 1812. 

WILLIAM HULL. 

This proclamation was well calculated to in- 
spire eonfidenee, and secure the iViendsbip of the 
Canadians. The American troops were in high 
spirits, anxious to be led against the enemy's 
post at Fort Maiden. The British force, con- 
sisting of regulars^ militia, and Indians, was in- 
ferior to the Ameri.;ans, as appeared by the offi- 
cial communication of the British general Brock, 
to his government. The moment seemed fa- 



^HISTORY OF THE WAR, ST 

^'^urable to strike an important, perhaps a deei* 
sive blow. The Indians, except a few of whom 
had joined the British, remained neutral, watch- 
ing with their usual sagacity, until thej could 
discover on what side victory was likely to perch ; 
nearly all the Canadian militia had deserted. 
Colonel M»Arthur was detached with 150 men> 
to the river Thames, where he captured a con- 
siderable quantity oF ammunition, arms, and 
blankets. Some hundreds of Merino sheep were 
captured by anofher detachment. 

On the 15th July, Colonel Cass, with about 
300 men, reconnoitered the enemy's posts. The 
Colonel ascended tl»e river Aux Canards, to a 
ford, where he crossed, and descending on the 
south side, attacked and repeatedly drove a par- 
ty of the enemy's regulars, which was stationed 
at a bridge, five miles above Amherstburg, the 
enemy having formed and returned three times : 
night put an end to the pursuit. The Americans 
returned the following day to camp without in- 
terruption. Frequent skirmishing was kept up 
between other detatchments of (he Aniericaw 
army, and the enemy, in the neighbourhood of 
Fort Maiden. The time of attacking Fort 
Maiden was determined on at a council of field 
offii-ers, and preparations made for advancing W 
the attack, when, by an unexpected order, the 
plan of attack was abandoned, and Canada eva- 
cuated on the 8th August, shamefully leaving to 
their fate, the Canadians who had joined ths 
American standard. 

This gave time to the enemy to be reinfore- 
Od, and it soon was rumoured in the American 
camp, that the commanding offi' er intended to 
surrender his array, in the event of an attack by 
Che enemy. This seemed so Bnaecountabie; 

B 



38 IIlSTOliY O^ I^IIE Vf\U» 

al, a time when giiperiority oT force was on the 
Amerieaii Ma. that the olBcers liud resolytHl, in 
the event of llie rumoup being well foisnded, to 
divest the griieral of his command, ''j'he exe- 
cution of this plr.n v.as prevented bj the ab- 
sence of tvyo commanding ofScers of regiments, 
•^Tho were ordered on detachments. The Brit- 
ish being reinforced by about 400 men, and tlie 
Indians becoming more decided, General Brock 
advanced, and took a position opposite to Detroit, 
^vhere, without interruption, he established a 
small battery. 

On the 15th August, the town of Detroit was 
summoned to surrender, which being refused, a 
firing began from the British batteries, which 
was returned by the Americans, and continued, 
with little ellcct, until night. At day-light, on 
the 16th, the firing re-commenced on both sides, 
Ihe enemy commenced the landing of troops be- 
low Detroit, which being soon effected, they 
jiiaiehcd in close column of platoons, twelve in 
front, toward the fort of Detroit. 

Against this body of troops not a shot was fir- 
ed, although it advanced in a situation withia 
the range of the American cannon. When the 
British reached within 100 yards of the Ameri- 
can line, orders were given by Gen. Hull for the; 
troops to retreat to tlie fort ; and soon after, the 
fort was surrendered, and the American army 
fcecame prisoners of war. 

By a proclamation immediately issued by the 
British commander, (Oen. Brock.) it appears 
that Genera] Hull had also surrendered the te r- 
ritory of Michigan. 

This was a severe and unexpected blow against 
the Americans. It gave rise to a court-martial 
on the eonduct of General Hail, which will be 



HISTOIIY OJ? THE WAK. 31) 

lioliced ill its proper pliice ; it, in a -c^ve'xi degree, 
tlestrovetl tlie confidence the Can liians had iu 
the govermnent a*id arms of tlie Usiiti d States ; 
it delcrminod ttie In^lians to take part with the 
enemy; and led not only to a proloi.^ation of th© 
war, but to many, op perhaps all of those savagd 
acts of murd^*', in which the Indians were sub- 
sequentiy engaged, against the citizens of the 
United States. i 

General Hull, in his official account, states 
that at the time the enemy advanced against De- 
troit, he coakl not bring into the iicld more thaa 
600 men, that the regular force of the enemy, 
then advancing, was much more than that num- 
ber, and twice that number of Indians. 

An official letter from Colonel Cass, who had 
a command under General Hull, put the business 
in quite a different light, concluding witli the fol- 
lowing paragraph. 

*« T was informed by Gen. Hull, the morning after 
the capitulation, Uiat the British forces consisted of 
1800 regulars, and that he surrendered to prevent 
the effusion of human blood. — That he magnified 
their regular force nearly five fokl, there can be no 
doubt. Whether the philanthropic reason assigned 
by him is a sufficient justification for surrendering a 
fortified town, an army, and a territory, is for the ^-o- 
vernni5nt to determine. Confident I am, that had the 
courac^e and conduct of the General been equal to 
the spirit and zeal of the troops, the event would 
have been as brilliant and successful, as it now is djs» 
astrous and dishonourable," 

The British o5icial account is positive as to 
the inferioiity of the enemy's forte. 

The following extract from the olljcial repojt 
of Sir George Prevost. will show how weak the 
gi^nisoii of Araherstburg, or Maiden was, af 



^0 HilSTOBY OV THE WAR. 

die time when General Hull passed into Canada^ 
having then under his command nearly 2500 
men. ^ 

" The garrison of Amherstburg consisted (at iht 
time when General Hull passed into Canada,) of a 
subaltern's detachment of the royal artillery, com- 
aiianded by Lieutenant Troughton ; of a detatchment 
of SOO men, of the 41st regiment, under the com- 
mand of Captain Muir ; and of about as many of the 
militia ; the whole under the command of Lieuten-^ 
ant-Colonel St. George, inspecting field officer of 
mililia in the district." 

A few days before the surrender of Detroit, 
Major Van Horn, of Colonel Findley's regiment 
of Ohio volunteers, was detatched with about 
!^00 men, to proceed to the river Raisin, to rein- 
force Captain Brush, who, with a company of 
Ohio volunteers, were escorting provisions for 
the army. At Brownstown, a large party of 
Indians formed an ambuscade, and the major's 
detachment received a heavy fire at a few yards 
from the enemy. The whole detachment re- 
treated in great disorder, and could not, by 
any exertion of Major Van Horn, be rallied.^ 
On this occasion, there were 7 officers and 10 
privates killed, besides a considerable number 
wou aided. 

Before the return of Major Van Horn, an- 
other detachment consisting of 600 men, under 
the command of Lieut. Col. Miller, was ordered 
to proceed to the river Uaisin, to open the com- 
munication to the river, and protect the provi- 
sions, which were under the escort of Captain 
Brush. Lieut. Col. Miller marched from De- 
troit on the 8(h of August ; and on the 9tb, about 
i o'clock in the afternoon, the van-guard, com- 
manded by Capt. Sneiling, of tho4tk U. S. regi^ 



HISTORY «F THE WAK. 41 

mcnt, was fired upon by an extensive line of In- 
dians and Bi'itish, at the lower part of Magiiago, 
about 14 miles from Detroit. Capt. Snflling 
maintained bis ground in a most gallant man- 
ner, under a very heavy fire, until the arrival 
of the main body, under Lieut. Col. Miller, when 
a general attack was made on the enemy, who 
was compelied to retreat before the Amerieans. 
The route continued untli fatigue, and the ap- 
proach of night, rendered it necessary to desist 
from further pursuit. 

A short time previous to the surrender of De- 
troit, a provisional agreement was entered inta 
by General Dearborn, and Colonel Baynes, the 
British Adjutant-General, that neither party 
should act offensively before the decision of the 
American government should be taken on the 
subject. This suspension of hostilities, was 
grounded ou a letter from Sir George Prevost, 
Governor of Lower Canada, to General Dear- 
born, suggesting the probability of a general 
suspension of hostilities, in consequence of a pro- 
posed suspension or repeal of the British orders 
in council, of which Mr. Foster, late minister 
to the United States, had received advices on his 
arrival at Halifax. Whether Governor Prevost 
seriously believed all which he represented, or 
that the suspension of hostilities, which did not 
include the operations of Detroit, was intended 
to favour the British army in that quarter, can- 
not now be determined ; it, however, enabled 
the British to reinforce General Bvoek. aiid pro- 
bably contributed to the fall of Di'troit. The 
American government, viewing' the British pro- 
position as coming in an indirect manner, offer- 
ing no satisfactory security for its observanoe^. 
ami adhering with little variation to their i'ov^ 



%^ HISTORY OS THE WAR, 

mer pretences, did not hesitate to disagree to 
the proposal. The armistice terminated on the 
8th September. 

The disgracefirl surrender of Detroit was, in 
some degree, to be compensated for, by the 
bravery of American seamen. On the 19th 
Aug. 1812, the American frigate Constitution, 
Captain Isaa© Hull, fell in with his Britannie 
majestj'^s frigate Guerriere, Captain J- R. Da- 
eres, in lat. 40, 20, N. Ion. 55, W. and after a 
severe action of 30 minutes, during which the 
Americans displayed great superiority in tactics 
and courage, the British ship surrendered. 

The Guerriere suffered so much in her rig* 
ging and hull, and was so entirely disabled, that 
it was found impossible to tow her into port ; she 
was of course burnt, by order of Captain Hull, 
as soon as the prisoners were removed. 

The Guerriere had been formerly a French 
4i, but was rated only at 38^ she carried 49 
guus. 

The following offieial account of her capture 
from the French, by the British naval captain, 
Lavie, places this point in an indisputable view, 
as the advocates of Britain, sorely hurt by this 
proof of the superiority of American naval tac- 
tics, endeavoured to misrepresent the relative 
size and force of the American and British fri- 
gates. 

From Capt L^vie to Lorb Keith. 

Blaiiche, Yarmouth^ July 26, 1806, 
^t My Lord — I have the honour to acquaint you of 
niy return to Yarmouth to-day, having in company 
the Guerriere frigate, commanded by Monsieur Hu- 
bert, of the Legion of Honour, whom I captured 
©n the ]9thinst. in long. 62, off the Faro Islands^, 
after % sharp contest of 45 minute a." 



HISTORY OP THE WAR. 43 

"Le Guerriere is of the largest class of frigates^ 
mounting fifty guns, with a complement of 3 17 men, 
but they were very soon sadly reduced by our dc° 
structive fiie, and the ship has also suffered very se- 
verely, while the damages of th Blanche were con- 
fined to the topmasts, riggiugt and sails. 

"THOMA.S LAViE." 

The following is a retuni of the killed and 
wounded. 

Onboard the Constitution, one lieutenant of ma- 
rines, and six seamen — Total killed, 7. Two officers^ 
four seam* n, and one marine — Total wounded, 7. 
Total killed and wounded 14. 

On board the Guerriere, killed 15, wounded 63, 
missing 27— Total, 105. 

The most enthusiastic joy was manifested 
throughout ever^' part of the United States, on 
the arrival of advices of this engagements Gap- 
tain Hull and his men received, wherever they 
appeared, the most unbounded applause. Thanks 
were voted by Congress, and by several public 
bodies ; and Congress appi'opriated 50,000 dol- 
lars, to be given to the officers and crew of the 
Constitution, as an indemnification for the loss 
sustained by the destruction of the Guerriere. 

Her navy was the chief boast of England, and 
on it was her chief reliance ; yet she was des- 
tined to meet her greatest wounds and disasters 
on the watery element. 

On the 17th July, the Bridsh appeared before 
Sacket's Harbour, with the Royal George, of 2^ 
,^uns, the Prince Regent, of 'Z-Z, Ehnira, of 20, 
Seneca, of 18, and another armed vessel. A 
message was sent ashore, demanding the sur- 
render of the American vessel of war, the One- 
ida; and also the late British schooner; Kelsou^ 



4^ HISTORY OF THE WA«. 

seized for a breach of llie revenue laws. A 
conipliance with Uiis demand being perempto- 
rily refused, tlie enemy advanced williin gun shot. 
A firing began from a 82 pounder asliore, and 
Mas relumed by the squadron, which stood off 
and on. A brisk cannonading was continued for 
more than two liours, when a shot from the 32 
pounder having raked the flag ship of the ene- 
my, as she was wearing to give anothcF broad- 
side, the squadron fired a few guns, and bore 
away for Kingston, the citizens greeting them 
with the good oldtuneof*^ Yankee Doodle," from 
all the music at the post. The British shipping 
appeared to be muchanjured. Not a man lost on 
the American side. 

The steadiness of t],ie American troops, and 
the alacrity with which the neighbouring detach- 
H^ents and volunteers, to the amount of nearly 
SOOO, assembled for the protection of this im- 
portant post, was, at this early stage of the war,- 
a pleasing presage of what might be hereafter 
expected, when men would become more inured 
to danger. CoL Bellinger commanded the Amer- 
ican troops. Capt. Woolsey, who command- 
ed the Oneida, having sailed from the harbour, 
and reconnoitered the enemy, returned and 
moored his vessel, with a spring on her cable, 
near the battery ; and giving the command of 
her to his lieutenant, he went ashore and took 
command of the 32 pounder, which, under his 
direction, did very considerable damage to the 
enemy. 

The Frigate Essex, Captain Porter, sailed ocr 
a cruise, from New- York, on the 3d July, and 
arrived in the Delaware, the 7th September, 
On the 13th August, the Essex fell in with the 
British slooji of war Alcrti The Alert bore 



HISTOHY OF THE WAK, 45 

down, and 6oramenced an action, which lasted 
eight minutes ; she was much cut to pieces, had 
seven feet water in her hold when she struck, 
and three men wounded. The Essex received 
no injury. 

Captain Porter having thrown the guns of the 
Alert overhoard, despatched her as a ©artel to 
St. John's, in Newfoundland, with about 50d 
prisoners which he had taken in the Alert, and 
from other captured vessels. 

This measure was adopted in consequence of a 
written agreement between Captain Porter of 
the Essex, and Captain Laugharne of the Alert. 
It was calculated to convenience botli parties, 
and to lessen the evils of warfare. A proposi- 
tion originating in the humanity of the American 
commander ought to have been met by the most 
prompt and faithful acquiescence by the prison- 
ers, and the British commander. Lieutenant 
P. Wilmer was sent in command of the Alert, 
which was to be sailed by her own crew, so great 
was the confidenoc placed in their honour ; yet it 
appears that the crew took the command of the 
/esse! from Lieutenant Wilmer, »nd went on 
sfiore without submitting in any manner to his 
oontroul. Admiral S. T. Duckworth, who 
commanded at St. John's, countenanced this con- 
duct in the first instance, but afterwards submit- 
ted to the arrangement, which, he nevertheless, 
contended, was <* utterly inconsistent with the 
laws of war." 

Governor Prevost, of Lower Canada, issued 
a proclamation on the 19tli September, by which 
all Citizens of the United States are ordered to 
quit Canada by the lr>th of Ortober ; till which 
time they may depart with their moveable pro- 
perty, by permission of three of the council. 



46 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

After that time, every citizen of the United 
States, found in Canada, will be treated as a pri- 
soner of war, unless he has taken the oath of al- 
legiance. 

A considerable force having been assembled in 
the neigh bojirhood of Niagara river, nnder the 
command of Maj. Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer, 
with the view as was generally unilerstood, of 
effecting a descent upon the British province of 
Upper Canada ; a strong and impatient desire 
was discovered among the troops to try their 
strength against tlie enemy. This gradually rose 
to such a height, that resistance to it seemed 
scarcely, if at all possible ; patriotism was pass- 
ing the limits of subordination. " This (says 
the general in his official cojnmunication to Gen. 
Dearborn) was expressed to me through various 
channels, in the shape of an alternaivct ; that 
they must have orders to act; or, at all hazards, 
they would 1:0 hoinc'^ 

Impelled by this consideration, the general 
made dispositions for the intended attack on th« 
British post at the heights of Queenston. Some 
information gained from a person who was en- 
gaged to pass over to Canada, and who returned 
safe, seemed to warrant an attack, which, be- 
sides the immediate object might have a con- 
trolling effect upon the movements at Detroit, 
where it was understood the British General 
Brock had gone, with all the force he could spare 
from the Niagara frontier. 

An intention to transport troops across the 
river, on the morning of the 11th October, was 
frustrated through means of a boatman, selected 
for his skill and steadiness; but who, going a- 
head in the extreme darkness, passed the intend- 
ed place far up the river, and there fastened Ms 



HISTORY or THE WAR. 4^ 

boat to the shore, and abamloned the detachment. 
In this front boat nearly every oar belonging lo 
all the boats were deposited. The expedition 
v*as given up, and the detachment returned to 
camp. 

Tliis circumstance, so far from damping the 
ardour of the troops, seemed to give additional 
force to the desire of encountering the enemy.— 
A second attempt \yas determined on. 

A detacliment from the 13th regiment con- 
sisting of about 300 m.en under the command of 
Col. Chrystie, and about 300 militia, command- 
ed by Col. Van Uensselaer, received orders from 
the general to cross the Niagara River on the 
morning of the 13th inst. which was in part ef- 
fected before day, under a very heavy and de- 
structive fire of grape and musket shot from the 
British. 

In crossing the river, three boats with troops 
one of which contained Lieut. Col. Chrystie, 
were carried by the rapid current of the river 
far below the point of landing ; and as soon as 
Col. Chrystie's boat touched the shore the only 
guide io the ground left the colonel. 

J a consequence of this disaster not more than 
200 men, at first efiected a landing. Those few, 
however, marched on under a heavy fire, and 
formed a line on the front of the battery, where 
they v.crc sheltered by a bank, upon the summit 
of which there was a battery, which had proved 
•very destructive to officers and men. From the 
fire of this battery, and that of a house on their 
right bank, Col. Van Rensselaer was wounded^ 
an^ likewise Capt. Armstrong. Capt. Lawrence, 
Capt. Wool, and Lieut. Lent ; killed, Lieut. Val- 
leau and Ensign Morris, all of (he iSth. 

Col. Van Rensselaer's wounds were severe^ ft 



"^S HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

ball passed through his right thigh, entering jusl 
below the hip bone ; another shot passed through 
the saiiie thigh a liitle below ; a third through 
the calf of his leg, and a fourth cartoused his 
heel. Lieut. Col. Christie did not arrive until 
some time after this, and was wounded in his 
band, in pa«sing the river. Col. Van Rensselaer 
was still aWe to stand ; and, with great presence 
of luind, ordered his men to proceed and storm 
the fort. 

Sixty determined men, led b;^ Capt. Ogilvie^. 
seeondfd bj CajU. Wool, (though wounded) and 
Lieut. K<-arney, Lieut. Carr, Lieut. Hugginan, 
and Li^ut. Sanimons, Ensign Rcevf, of the 13th, 
Lit^ui. Randolph, and Lieut. Gansevoort, circu- 
itousij' mountt d the heiglits, gaTc three cheers, 
and imo'ediatei^ charged ; and, after the third 
charge, gained lomplete possession, wliich they 
kept about ten hours. Anjong those sixt;y were 
ten of the militia. During the time the\ had 
possession of the heights, they received some re- 
icforeement, Lieut. Col. Chrystie effected his 
landing, and a body of militia, amounting, in the 
^hole, to about 500. Col. Scott superseded Capt. 
Ogilvie in the command ; soon after which the 
British received a reinforcement from Forts 
George and Chippewa, antounting to about 1100, 
including Indians. The Indians were soon re- 
pulsed, and driven to the woods. 

Capt. Ogilvie, of the 13th regiment, who led 
the detachment that succeeded in taking the re- 
doubt upon the heights, was much exposed while 
At the top of the precipice ; he resolutely continu- 
ed brandishing his sword as a signal to his men 
to advance. The exertions of Captain Wool, in 
urging on his men, after he was wounded^ were 
sjiirited and conspicuous. 



HISTORY O'E TUB WAR. 49 

After this, both parties were eonsiderably re- 
inforced, and the conflict became severe and 
general ; the enemy was compelled to retreat at 
every point of attack, and the route was follow- 
ed up, with great spirit by the Americans. 

I^einforcements continued to arrive under Cap. 
Gibson, of the artillery. Captains Mackesney and 
Lawrence, of the infantry ; and Colonels Mead, 
Allen, and Stranahan, of the militia. A little 
before 2 o'olock in the afternoon, Gen. Wads- 
worth, Lieut. Col. Chrystie, and Maj. Mullany * 
passed over. The enemy, at this moment, re- 
ceived a reinforcement of several hundred Indi- 
ans from Chippewa, and commenced a furious at- 



* This statement is given from the best account 
that could be procured. The compiler has « ol. 
Mullaty's authority in saying, that this was the fifth 
time he passed over during the engagement. From 
an official report of Col. Mullany to Gen. Van Rens- 
selear, dated 5th Jan. 18 3, ('h«- original of which is 
in the office of the War Department, but which has 
not been published) the following extr.xt is given : 

*' I cannot in justice close this communication, 
without t'Xpressing my astonishment at the omission, 
of its (Col. Mullany 's detachment) arduous, its des- 
perate duties ill your official detail of that day, al- 
though iudifferent as to myself satisfied I will yet 
have justice done, when the scenes of that enterprize 
are better known. Many of my officers merited a 
full shMre of public notice ; and, trom my know- 
ledge of you, Sir, to a want of correct information, I 
ascribf the cause of « omplaint." 

General Van Rensselaer, in reply to Col. Mulhny, 
dated Albany, Jan. 23, 18 1 3, acknowledges and re- 
grets the omission in his official detail in whicn the 
ieryices of the Col. and his command were omitttdi 



^0 HISTORY or THE WAK. 

tack, but were promptly met, and routed by the 
riile and bayonet. Victory seemed eonjplete. 

The General observing a hesitation in the em- 
barkation of troops, he passed over to aeeeJerate 
their movements. Coukl the details of this day 
be here closed, all \*^ould be honour, all would 
be glory to the American character. But it must 
be recorded ; alas ! it cannot be concealed, that 
no persuasion of the general, or of Jjieut. Col. 
Bloom, who, although wounded, rode through the 
camp, nor of judge Peck, who also exerted him- 
self on this occasion, could influence the remain- 
ing troops to pass into the boats. A large rein- 
forcement from Fort George, soon afterwards 
was seen coming up the river ; this reinforce- 
ment obliqued to the right from the road, and 
formed a junction with the Indians in the rear 
of the heights. 

The superiority in numbers of the British and 
their Indians allies induced the American officers 
to hold a consultation, at which they were dis- 
posed to dispute the ground the\ held ; but a 
note was received from Gen. Van Rensselaer, in- 
forming them he could nftord them no assistan.e, 
and that he would cover their retreat at the l)at- 
tery, at Fort Grey, and furnish boats to re cross 
the river; and finding by Colonel Stranahan that 
the militia would no longer act, a retreat was re- 
solved upon. They retreated in good oi der. with- 
out the loss of a man, to the margin of the river 
hut, to their extreme mortification, not a boat 
"Was there to receive them, nor did any arrive. 
After remaining in this extremely painful situa- 
tion about a quarter of an hour, this little band 
surrendered to about five times their number. 

Previous to this, however, a column of British 
regulars advanced, commanded by Gen, Brock. 



HISTORY OBt THE WAR. 51 

Tlie British General's horse was killed by a pri- 
vate of the name of Wilklow, who was enlisted 
in Orange county ; shortly after which the gen- 
era' himself fell, within pistol shot of the Ame- 
rican troops. 

The enemy consisted of a part of the 49th re- 
giment, who with Gen. Brock, had signalized 
themselves in Egypt, and from their valour were 
called the invincibles. Before this they had ne- 
ver been known to give an inch of ground, and 
acknowledged, after the surrender, they had ne- 
ver fought with such brave men. They treated 
their prisoners with tenderness and respect, and 
allowed them as much merit as brave men ©ould 
desire. The number of Americaa troops killed 
amounted to not more than 60, and about 100 
were wounded. The number of prisoners, inclu- 
ding the wounded, amounted to about 700. 

But the victorious enemy, though generous 
and tender to those who, by the fortune of war, 
Ijad fallen into their power, imposed no restraint 
upon their Indian allies from stripping and scalp- 
ing the dying and the slain that remained upon 
the Held of battle. Captain Ogilvie himself saw 
the lifeless body of Ensign Morris stripped even 
of its shirt, and the skull of one who had been 
wounded, was seen cloven by a tomahawk. 

The general, in his official despatches, bears 
evidenee to the bravery and good conduct of all 
engaged ; noticing, in particular. General Wads- 
worth ; Cols. Van Rensselaer and Scott ; Lieut, 
Cols. Chrystie, Fenwiek, Bloom, Allen, Stran- 
ahan, and Mead ; Majors Spencer, Mosely, and 
Lush ; Captain Gibson, Lieut. Smith, and En- 
sign Grosvenor. 

Major General Van Rensselaer resigned the 
command of the army> on the Niagara frontier> 



53 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

<o Brigadier General Smyth, on the 14th Oc- 
ttober. 

On the 10th November, General Smyth pub- 
lished a proclamation from his camp near Buf- 
laloe. As this document became the subject of 
juuch comment, it is given here in full. It was 
in the following words : 

TO THE MEN OF NEW-TORK. 

For many years you have seen your country op- 
pressed with numerous wrongs. Your government, 
although above all others, devoted to peace, have 
been forced to draw the sword, and rely for redress 
©f injuries on the valour of the American people. 

That valour has been conspicuous. But the na- 
tion has been unfortunate in the selection of some 
of those who directed it. One army has been dis- 
gracefully surrendered and lost. Another has been 
sacrificed by a precipitate attempt to pass it over at 
the strongest point of the enemy's lines, with most 
incompetent means. The cause of these miscar- 
riages is apparent. The commanders were popular 
men, " destitute alike of theory and experience" in 
the art of war. 

In a few days, the troops under my command, will 
plant the Amcricyn standard in Canada, 'i'hey are 
men accustomed to obedience, silence, and steadi* 
iiess. They will conquer, or they will die. 

Will you stand with your arms folded, and look 
on this interesting struggle ? are you not related 
to the men who fought at Bennington and Saratoga ? 
Has the race degenerated ? Or have you, under the 
baneful influence of contending factions, forgot your 
country ? Must I turn from you, and ask men of 
the s/:r nations to support the government of the 
United States ? Shall I imitate the officers of the 
British king, and suffer our ungathered l.iurcls to 
])e tarnished by ruthless deeds ? Shame where is 
thy blush ? No. Where I command, the vanquish- 
ed aud the peaceful roan; the child, the maid, aiid^ 



HISTORY OP THE WAR. 53 

the matron shall be secure from wrong*. If we con- 
quer, we will " conquer but to save." 
Men of JSTeiv- York ! 

The present is the hour of renown. Have you not 
a wish for fame ? Would you not choose in future 
times to be named as one ofthose^ who, imitating the 
heroes whom Montgomery led, have, in spite of the 
seasons, visited the tomb of the chief, and conquered 
the country where he lies ? Yes. You desire your 
share of fame. Then seize the present moment. If 
you do not, you will regret it ; and say, " the valiant 
have bled in vain ; the friends of my country fell — 
and I was not there.'* 

Advance then to our aid. I will wait for you a 
few days. I cannot give you the day of my de- 
parture. But come on. Come in companies, half 
companies, pairs, or singly. I wili organize you for 
a short tour. Ride to this place, if the distance is 
far, and send back your horses. But remember, that 
every man who accompanies us, places himself un- 
der my command, and shall submit to the salutary, 
restraints of discipline. 

ALEX. SMYTH, 
Brig.-GeneraL 

Camfiy near Buffalocj JSTov.AO, 1812. 

This proclamation had the effect of bringing^ 
to the frontier a very considerable number of 
volunteers, mea who lived the hardy life of farm- 
ers, were accustomed to the woods, knew well the 
use of the rifle, and feared Indians as little as 
they did Englishmen. 

On the 17th November, Gen. Smyth issued a 
public address to his soldiers, preparatory to an 
immediately intended entrance into the enemy's 
territory. Tlie sentiments contained in this ad- 
dress are noble, humane, and soldierly. From 
such a general and such an army, the public €%-> 
^ectecl a very successful campaign.. 



54 HISTORY OP THE WAE. 

On the morning of the 21st November, 1812, A 
lieavy cannonade was apened upon the garrison^ 
of Fort Niagara, from all the batteries in the 
neighbourhood of Fort George, consisting of five 
detached batteries, two mounting 24 pounders, 
one mounting a 9, and two mortar batteries, The 
firing continued thirteen hours ;. some buildings 
■Were set on fire by the hot shot trom the enemy^ 
but extinguished without dotng material Jnjury. 

The garrison at Niagara, in return, opened a 
tremendous and well directed fire with hot shot* 
The town of Newark was several times in flames^ 
as also the centre building in Fort George. Cjapt& 
M'Keon commanded a 12 pounder in the S. E>. 
block-hon^e^ and distinguished himself by his 
usual gallantry and skill. Capt. Jacks, of the 7tb 
regiment militia artillery, commanded a 6 pound* 
er on the N. block-house, and together with a 
part of his own company, though placed in a sit- 
uation most exposed to the fir^ofthe enemy, 
maintained their position like veterans* Lientu 
Bees, of the artillery, had command of an I& 
pounder on the S. E. battery ; until 10 o'clock, 
Avhen he received a wound, which compelled him, 
to resign the command to Capt Leonard, of the 
artillery. Lieut. Wendell, of the 3d artillery, com- 
manded aa 18 and a 4 pounder on the W. battery. 
Dr. Hot^per, of the militia, commanded a 6 pound- 
er on the mess house ; Lieuts. Ganesvoort and 
Harris had the cemmand of the salt-battery at 
Youngstown, mounting one 18 and a 4 pounder. 
Tlvese sever*al posts were maintained with reso- 
lution, judgment, and great effect. Lieut. Col. 
Gray commanded the artillery, and gave the 
most satisfactory proof of bis zeal and science^ 
Major Armstead of the corps of engineers, wa» 
Sidefatigablci in e^^tending his e^^ertion to all 



HISTORY or THE WAH. &5 

parts of the garrison. Lieai. Col, George Me, 
Feely conimHrided the fort. The American loss 
ooQsisted of four killed and seven wounded. 

The hopes which General Sm,vth had raised by 
his proclamation were not to he realized. Twice 
the troops em bar lied, and as often disemliarUed. 
Public opinion, hitherto on the side of General 
Smyth, now began to veer. His courage as well 
as his patriolism was questioned ; censure was 
followed by insult and nienaee. The fjroji^et of 
invasion was finally abamloned^ The volunteers 
were dismissed,, and the army erciered into win^ 
ter quarters. Thus ended the o^jerations, for 
this season, of the army of the cmtre. 

Gen. Smyth justified himself on the grounds^ 
thai he had directions not to pass over with less 
than SOOO men ; that he could not prevail on 
more than 1500 men to embark ; and that an at- 
tack on the enemy under such circumstances, wa» 
eonfepary to the opinion of a council of his oflScers, 
« My orders (says tlie general, in a reply to a 
committee from the patriotic citizens of the west- 
ern counties of New York) were to pass into Ca- 
nada with 3000 men at once. On the first day 
of embarkation not more than 1400 men were 
embarked^ of whom 400, that is^ half of the re- 
gular infantry, were exhausted with fatigue ani 
want of rest. On the second embarkation, only 
1500 men were embarked, and these were to have 
pnt off immediately, and to have descended the 
river to a point where reinforcements were not 
to be expected. On both days many of the re- 
g4ilar troops were men in bad health who could 
not have stood one day's march ; who, although 
they were on the sick report, were turned out by 
iheir ardent officers." 

This^ reply was dated $d Dtcember. Oq the 



16 HISTORY OB THE WAR. 

8th of the same mon<h. General Peter B.Porter 
gave nofke in (he Buffaloc Gazette, tbaf he wou^d 
soon publish a *< true account of sonu' of Uk- mv'Ht 
prominent transa«^nons of those da.vs." fj? (his 
notice General Porter ascribes the failure olMhe 
expedi(ion (o the cowardice of General S[nv(h. 

General Smyth must remain convio(ed. in (he 
eyes of the world, of falsehood and cowardice, if 
he continued passive under such churges. Mo- 
dern chivalry pointed out the course which must 
be pursued. General Smyth sent a challenge to 
General Porter, which the latter accepted. 

The parties passed over to Grand Island, on 
the 13th December; a shot was exchanged, in an 
intrepid manner, but without eftlct, wh.-n, on (he 
suggesdon of General Sniy(h's second, a mutual 
explanation and reconciliation took place ; and 
the parties separated. 

General Porter, on the following day, deliver- 
ed the promised statement of transactions to the 
editor of the Buffaloe Gazette, in which paper it 
accordingly appeared. 

The statement is plain and satisfactory ; and 
divested of that asperi(y, which was probably in- 
tended to accompany it. 

In this statement, it is represented, that, on 
the 27th November, there were collected in the 
neighbourhood of Niagara, 4500 effective men ; 
that the vessels collected for the purpose, were 
sufficient for (he transportation of 3500 men ; 
that the number of men actually embarked were 
estimated to consist of between 2000 and 2600 ; 
that about 2000 more men were paraded on 
shore, seemingly ready to cross ; that several 
boats of sufficient capacity to carry about 1000 
men were still lying unoccupied ; and that the 
enemy, estimated at about 500 men, were drawn 
lip in % line; at about bstlf a mik firoin the riyero. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR, 57 

As a proof of what could be effected, had the 
men been permitted to pass over, General Por- 
ter states the bravery and success with which 
a detachment which crossed over by direction 
of General Smyth, accomplished its mission ; 
having completely routed the enemy, spiked his 
cannon and taken several prisoners. *« Out of 
12 naval officers, who embarked on this enter- 
prize, nine of them, (says (leneral Porter,) with 
more than half their men, were killed or woun- 
ded/' 

General Smyth, in a letter to the editors of the 
National Intelligeneer, dated 23d January, 1815, 
refutes the statement of General Porter. 

" I affirm, (says General Saiyth,) that on the 27th 
November, there were collected in the neighbour- 
hood of Black Rock, not more than 3500 effective 
men, non-commissioned officers, and privates, of 
every corps under my command ; not more than 
] 500 of those were liable to be ordered to cross the 
Niai^ara, according to opinions generally received. 
On th«^ 2 1 St, there were 1050 good troops embarked, 
and also as many irregular volunteers as occupie<I 
five boats, estimated at 150. On the morning of the 
1st December, the number of men armed with mus- 
kets, who were at the navy-yard, embarked or not 
embarked, did not exceed 2000 men." 

In this refutation. General Smyth insinuates 
that General Porter, acting as contractor to the 
army, was not prepared to supply the necessary 
rntions, having on the 30th November only 35 
bfisrels of flour on hand, '* not two pounds of 
flour to each man." — The hostility of General 
Porter to myself, (says General Smyth,) grew 
out of the contract. 

While the expedition thus progressed froni 
ill-design, to its unavoidable consequence; voh 



5S HISTORY or THE WAR. 

successful termination, the minor expeditions did 
honour to the officers who commanded, and the 
few men who were engaged in them. Among 
these the following must not he omitted. 

The Brigs Adams and Caledonia* which were 
surrendered to the enemy by General Hull, at 
Detroit, having arrived and anchored under the 
British Fort Erie, on the 8lh Octoher, 18 1 2, 
Captain Elliot, of the navy, who had arrived at 
Black Rock the same day, with a hody of sailors 
from New- York, determined on an attempt to 
regain them. Raving made the necessary dis- 
positions, he advanced at 1 o'clock in the morn- 
ing of the yth Octoher, having under his com- 
mand, 100 men in two boats, including 30 volun- 
teers from the army, with Captain Townson, and 
Lieutenant Roache, of the artillery ; at 3 o'clock 
he was alongside the vessels ; in ten minutes 
they were under way, and the prisoners se- 
cured. An unfavourable wind obliged them to 
run down the river, by the forts, under a heavy 
fire of round, grape, and cannister shot, from 
a number of pieces of heavy ordnance and fly- 
ing artillery ; and he was compelled to anchor 
about 40 yards from one of their batteries ; the 
Caledonia being got into a safe position* a fire 
was returned from the guns of the Adams, as 
long as ammunition lasted. It being found im- 
possible longer to withstand the fire of the ene- 
my, which would probably sink the vessel in a 
short time, he was compelled to cut the cable^ 
and drift down the river, out of reach of the bat- 
teries, but remained still exposed to the flying 
artillery : having thus dropt astern for about 
ten minutes, and being deserted by the pilot, be 
was brought up on the shore of Squaw Island. 
From this place he sent the prisoners on shoro 



HISTOHY 0"P THE WAR. ^9 

Witb much difficulty ; and, having himsflf pass- 
ed from the brig to the shore, he soon discovered 
that about forty scthliers had crossed in a boat, 
from the British side, and boarded the brig ; but 
they were soon compelled to abandon her, with 
the loss of nearly all their men. During the 
whole of the morning, both sides of the river 
kept up alternately a continual fire on the brig, 
and so mm-h injured her, that it was impossible 
to have floated her — she was of course destroyed, 

A patrole was stationed on I he shore, to co- 
operate in case of emergency ; it was command- 
ed by Lieut. Col. Scott, of the a'-tillery, having 
under him M «Jor MuUany, of the infantry, as a 
volunteer, Maj jr Cuyler, Aid to Geneiul Hall, 
and J. Bankiiead, Brigade Major to General 
Smyth's brigade. As Majors MuKa iv and Cuy- 
ler were ridiag close together, the former re- 
ceived an order fj-om Col. Seott to proceed to 
the navy yard, to direct two boats to be manned, 
and sent to the assistance of the ca'^tured vessels; 
he had but just sprang ahead, in execution of this 
order, when around shot from the enemy, which 
passed through the fore-sail of the Adams, 
si ruck, and instantly killed Major Cuyler, and 
thus deprived the service of a brave and useful 
otfi'ier. 

Major Young, of the Troy Militia, command- 
ant of a detaehment stationed at Freiica Mills, 
on the St. Regis river, having received informa- 
tion that a party of the enemy had arrived at 
the village of St. Regis, and that more were 
shortly expected, formed a rosohilion to take 
them out before they were reinforced. Fo?' this 
purpose he marched a detachment at 11 o'clock, 
^n the night of the :21st October, crossed the 



60 HISTOUT OF THE WAR. 

river, at Grab's Mills, about 3, and at five in the 
morning arrived within half a mile of the village, 
unexpected b^' the enemy. Here the major made 
suoh a judicious disposition of his men that the 
enemy were entirely surrounded, and after a few 
dischargt^s, surrendered themselves prisoners, 
with the loss of five killed. The result of this af- 
fair was, the capture of 40 prisoners, with their 
arms, equipments, &c. one stand of colours, and 
two battesiux, without a man of our party being 
hurt. They got sate back to camp at 11 o'clock 
in the morning. The prisoners were sent off to 
Piatisburgh. .Major Young lias had the honour 
of taking tlie first standard from the enemy in 
the present war 

Tiie movements of the enemy, during these 
times, were not to them equally honourable or 
important. 

riie village of Ogdensburg, on the St. Law- 
reuic, was bombarded on the 2d Uct, 1812, fop 
3 hours, from Presct>tt, o{)posite ; be{ wet>n 20 and 
SO twelve and nine pound shot were picked up in 
the gardens and streeJs, but no damage was. doue. 
The firing was brought on by the atlemiK of a 
party of Americans to tuke some Canadian boats, 
but they did not succeed. The garrison at Og- 
densburg consists of 300 men, under General 
Brown, from Jefferson county. 

The Sunday following, the British prepared 
40 boats, with from lO to 16 armed men in ea<'h, 
and six pieces of artillery, with which th^y ad- 
vanced to storm the town. When arrived with- 
in a short distance, our troops opened a warr« 
fire upfm them, and the contest continued about 
two bours, when the British, having two of their 
^oats so knocked to pieces, as to oblige them t« 
he abandoned^ and one taken^ ou board of whick 



HISTORY OF THE WAK. (51 

were six men fled precipitately to Prescott. No 
damage was sustained on our side. 

From the judicious arrangements made by 
Col. Benedict, Capt. Forsyth,"Capt. Griffin, Ma- 
jor Dimock, Adjt. Hotclikiss, Captain Hubbard, 
Capt. Benedict, Capt. M*Nit, and others of the 
troops under their command, as directed by 
Gen. Brown, had the enemy attempted a landing 
an immediate slaughter must have ensued. No 
person could have been more t.ttentive than Gen. 
Brown, through the whole action. Praise is al- 
so due to his field, staff, and commissioned of- 
ficers. 

By this action the British are taught, that 
400 Yankees will not decline a combat, when at- 
tacked by 1000 of their troops. Colonels Letb- 
bridge and Breckenridge, led the British in per- 
son. 

On the 3d October, the British brig Royal 
George, went into the Gencssee river, and cut 
out the schooner Lady Murray, and a revenue 
cutter. There was no force then there that 
could resist the enemy. 

The national pride had been already highly 
gratified by success on the ocean ; the public 
eye was anxiously directed to that element, in 
expectation of further glory. The public hope 
was not to be disappointed. 

At day light on the 18th Oct. 1812, about the 
lat. of 37 deg. north, and Ion. 65 i\eg, west, Cap- 
tain Jacob Jones, commanding the United 
States' sloop of war Wasp, of IS guns, got 
sight ot* a British convoy of six large armed 
merchant ships, under projection of the British 
sloop of war Frolic commanded by Capt. Whin- 
yu<es. A signal was nrade by the Frolic for 
thQ fleet to disperse. At 30 miautes past devea 



6% HilSTfiEY OF aUlE WAK. 

A. M. an engagement eommenced between ibe 
two sloops^ at a short distance, and continued 
until the vessels were so close, that the rammers 
of the Wasp were, while loading the last broad- 
side, shoved against the side of the enemy. The 
Frolic was boarded on her forecastle, and im- 
mediately surrendered. The manner in which 
this engagement was maintained, %Yas highly 
honourable to the Americans. The Frolic 
mounted 22 guns ; sixteen of the 32 pound 
carronades, and four 12 pounders on the main 
deck, and two 12 pounders, carronades, on the 
top-gallant forecastle, making her superior in 
force to the Wasp, by four 12 pounders. On 
hoard the Wasp, there were five killed, and five 
•wounded. The exact loss of the enemy could 
not be ascertained, as many of the dead lay buri- 
ed under the masts and spars that had fallen up- 
on the deck, which two hours exertion had not 
sufficiently removed. Lieutenant Biddle, who had 
charge of the Frolic, states, from what he saw, 
and by information from the officers, the number 
of killed must have been thirty ; that of the 
wounded, about forty or fifty. 

The Wasp suflTered so much in this action^ 
that both masts fell on the deck a few minutes 
after separating from the Frolic ; every brace, 
and most of the rigging, had been shot away 
during the action. 

In this state she nearly remained, when, in 
two hours after the action, the British ship 
Poictiers, of 7* guns, hove in sight ; and, soon 
after took possession of the two sloops, and or- 
dered them for Bermuda, 

The captain of the Frolic, in his ofiicial let- 
ter to Admiral Warren, states that every officer 
was w ounded^ and the greater part of the men 



HISTORY OF THE WAR, ^ 

either killed or wounded ; there not being twenty 
persons reniaiiiing unhurt. 

The following resolution of the Common 
Council of Nevv«\ork, will show the high light 
in which they held Capt. Jones and his crew. 

" I^esolvedy That an elegant sword be presented to 
Captain Jones, late of the United States* sloop of 
war Wasp, and also the freedom of this city, as a 
testimony of the high opinion this Corporation en- 
tertain of his gallant conduct, in capturing the Brit- 
ish sloop of war Frolic ; and that the thanks of the 
Common Council be presented to his brave officersr 
und crew." 

The United States' frigate United States, 
Captain Stephen Decatur, being on a cruise, fell 
in, on the 2bt\i October, 1812, with his Britan- 
nic Majesty's frigate Macedonian, Captain J. 
S. Carden, in lat. 29, N. Ion. 29, 20, W. and, after 
an action of an hour and a half, (17 minutes of 
which was in close action,) the British frigate 
was captured. The Macccdonian was of the 
largest class of British frigates, two years old, 
but four months out of dock, and mounting 49 
guns, (the odd one shifiing.) Tliis engagement 
gave another indisputable proof of the superi- 
ority of American discipline and gunnery. 

The loss on both sides was as follows : 

On board the United States 2 seamen, 3 ma- 
rines, 1 boy — Total killed, 5. 

Wovmded, 1 lieutenant, 1 carpenter, i seamen;^ 
1 marine — Total wounded, 7 ; of whom, Lieut. 
Funk, and John Archibald, died of their wounds. 

On board the Macedonian, there were 36 kil- 
led, and 68 wounded ; 30 of whom severely. 

By the muster roll of the Macedonian, it ap- 
peared that there were seven impressed Anw?- 



6^ HISTORY OF THE WAR* 

pieans on board, during the action^ two of wbom 
were killed. 

The United States and Macedonian arrived 
off Montaiig Point, on the 4th December ; but 
were prevented from reaching New-Yorlv before 
the first day of the new year, 1813. 

On the arrival of Captain Hull at New-York, 
he was presented by the corporation of the city, 
with the freedom of the city, in a gold box. As 
soon as Captain Hull entered the council cham- 
ber, conducted by Aldermen Fish and Mesier, 
^nd General Morton, he was addressed by his 
honour Dc WiU Clinton, mayor of the city, in 
an appropriate speech. Captain Hull, with all 
<hat modesty so frequently allied to virtuous 
bravery, made a short, but very becoming reply. 
The Captain then took the freeman's oath, and 
i;etired, amidst an immense crowd who filled the 
air with reiterated huzzas. On the following 
day, a splendid naval dinner was given by the 
corporation to Captain Hull, Com. Decatur, 
and Captain Jones, in testimony of the high 
sense entertained of the merits ofthe*^e gentle- 
men. Nothing was omitted to render this din- 
ner truly descriptive of the occasion, and the 
feelings of the citizens. 

On the 9th of January another dinner was giv- 
en by the corporation, to the crew of the United 
States. The seamen and marines, having form- 
ed in procession, proceeded from the place of 
landing to the City Hotel, amidst the plaudits of 
thousands of citizens. On the arrival of the 
sailors, and they being seated, they were address- 
ed by Mr. Vanderbilt, with his usual energy and 
perspicuity. The boatswain made a short reply, 
expressive of the gratitude of his shipmates, and 
their wish for a further opportunity to prove theis' 



HISTORY OF THE WAH. 65 

devotediiess to their country. At 6 o'clock, the 
procession was re-formed, when they proceeded 
to the Theatre, at the express wish and invita- 
tion of the managers, who reserved the pit ex- 
clusively for their accommodation. The harmo- 
ny of the day was not interrupted by a single ir- 
regularity. 

The enemy had some consolation, (if consola- 
tion it can be called,) by the capture, in Novem- 
ber, of the United States' brig of war Vixen, of 
14 guns, by his majesty's frigate Southampton, 
of 32 guns. 

Both vessels were wrecked shortly afterwards, 
on the desert Island of Conception ; at which 
time most of the crew of the Southampton, throw- 
ing off the controul of their officers, refused to 
do duty. 

On this occasion, the intrepid exertions of our 
tars, aided by their officers, were chiefly instru- 
}uental ia saving the moveable property on board 
the frigate. So sensible was Sir James Yeo of 
the generous conduct of the American sailors, 
that he drew them up on the island, audj publicly 
thanked them in the warmest terms. 

Although a patriotic support of the war was 
the distinguished feature of the public senti- 
ment, yet there was a strange apathy too preva- 
lent, which tended not a little to rendtirits eurly 
stage unpropitious to the country. Something 
was necessary to awaken the iinroused loyalty 
of the people. Victory might have that effect ; 
perhaps defeat was a more powerful ageut. The 
defeat and surrender of Gen. Hull, so much dis- 
appointed the expectations excited by the gene- 
ral's proclamation, that it is impossible to depict 
the first effect. The mortification of disappoint- 
ment^ added to the serious loss of a fine armj^ 






66 HISTORY OP THE WAE. 

threw a temporary gloom over the citizens.— 
This soon gave way to resentment, and a deter- 
mination to wipe off the " foul slain.'' The spirit 
of the nation rose, and that of '76 seemed to re- 
turn. This sentiment, which pervaded a great 
proportion of the nation, was most powerful in 
the western country. All felt the necessity of 
immediate action ; Kentucky and Ohio may be 
said to have broken loose ; an army was ready, 
as if by magic, prepared to avenge the late dis- 
grace. A leader was wanting — all eyes looked, 
with a common impulse, towards the hero of 
Tippecanoe ; the united voice of the people call- 
ed on the governor to dispense with all formali- 
ties ; and William Henry Harrison was ap- 
pointed a major-general, with directions to take 
command of the north western army. This ap- 
pointment was confirmed by the President of the 
United States. 

The exposed situation of the north western 
frontier, after the surrender of Hull, required 
the utmost exertions for its protection. It was 
not possible entirely to avert the impending dan- 
ger. 

The Indians had already commenced their sa- 
vage warfare, by an attack on Fort Dearborn, 
and the massacre of its garrison. Fort Dearborn 
(Chicago) was but a weak garrison, consisting of 
about 50 men, there were also in it a few wo- 
jnen and children, A large body of Indians ha- 
ving menaced the fort, it was agreed in a coun- 
cil, which was held with the faithless tribes, that 
the garrison should be spared on condition of 
surrendering the place without resistance. They 
marched out on the 15th Sept. and when about 
a mile from the fort, were fired upon, and mur- 
dered,, with the exception of about ten or twelve^ 
who escaped. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 67 

Fort Belview. (Madison) on the Mississijipi, 
was attaeketl on the *ih September, by the In- 
dians, with all the desperation tiiat a want of 
real eourage conld inspire ; the attaek was re- 
newed daily until the 8th, when the Indians, af- 
ter suffering very severely, withdrew, leaving ihe 
brave garrison safe. One soldier, who was out 
of the fort when the attaek commeneed, was 
niassaered : no lives were lost in the fort ; and 
only one man wou^ided. 

About eleven o'elock in the evening of the Mi 
September, Fort Harrison, in the Indiana Terri- 
tory, was attacked by a vast number of Indians. 
The garrison was weak, and the most of them, 
including its intrepid commander, Capt. Z. Tay- 
lor, cither sick or convalescent. The attack 
was continued, in a most furious manner, until 
about sunrise the following morning, when the 
savages retired, driving away or shooting all the 
cattle they could find. 

Several expeditions were formed against the 
Indians, for the protection of the inhabitants, 
and keeping open the necessary communications. 
Colonel Russell, with a small detachment of the 
United States' rangers, proceeded to the head 
of the Peori Lake, where he destroyed the cele- 
brated Pjmertain's town. Gen. Hopkins, with 
about 1200 troops, left Fort Harrison on the 11th 
December, and succeeded ia destroying several 
villages along the Wai)ush ; a party of 62 that 
left the camp, in search of a man who^was mis- 
sing, fell in with a large force of horse and foot 
Indians : this party suffered a defeat, with a loss 
of 16, making with the missing man, 17. Gen. 
Tupper di'feated a numerou^i body of British and 
Indians, near the Rapids of the Miami : the dif- 
ficulty of crossing the river; and waut of proviv 



6S HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

sions, obliged the expedition to return, Laving 
losi 4 killed; and one being wounded. Colonel 
Campbell, with 600 men, attacked one of the 
Massissinewa townsj on the 17th and 18th Dec, 
and defeated the Indians, after a most desperate 
conflict : the American loss was 8 killed, and 23 
wounded ; the Indian town was burned. Colonel 
John B. Campbell, on the 17th Nov. attacked 
the savages at a town on the Massissinewa^ 
which he burned, as well as three other towns 
further down the river, killing several, and tak- 
ing 37 prisoners : on the morning of the 11th 
Dee. his camp was attacked by about 300 In- 
dians, who were defeated, after an engagement 
of about three quarters of an hour. The loss of 
the Americans in these affairs, was 9 killed, and 
about 35 or 40 wounded ; about 40 of the In- 
dians were killed. The Indians also suffered a 
defeat from Col. Williams, commanding the 
Tennessee troops. 

These actions were well calculated to inspire 
the Indians with a proper respect for the Ame- 
ricans ; and, if followed up with continued suc- 
cess, would tend to estrange the savage enemy 
from his British ally j but a sad reverse soon oc- 
curred. 

A detachment, under the command of General 
Winchester, being attacked on the 22d Jan. 1813, 
at Frenchtown, on the river Raisin, by a greatly 
superior force of Indians and British, aided by 
several pieces of artillery, suffered a defeat. The 
Americans lost no honour on this occasion ; they 
defended themselves, and fought with despera- 
tion, even beyond the time whefl prudence and 
honour would have sanctioned a surrender. Gen. 
Winchester, being himself a prisoner, agreed to 
a surrender of th« troops under his command, on ? 



HISTOliY OP THE WAR. 69 

condition that they should be protected against 
the savages, and allowed to retain their private 
property and side-arms. Thirty-five oflicers. and 
490 non-commissioned officers, and privates were 
made prisoners ; the number of killed was con- 
siderable. 

The prisoners who were in health were march- 
ed to Maiden ; the wounded were, contrary to the 
terms of capitulation, left at the mercy of the 
Indians. On the morning of the 23d, such of 
the wounded as were unable to travel, were to- 
mahawked and scalped. 

The following is a copy of the report of a com- 
mittee of Congress, on this subject : 

<' The massacre of the 23d January, after the capii* 
tulation, was perpetrated without any exertion oi> 
their part to prevent it ; indeed, it is apparent, frofii 
all the circumstances, that if the British officers did 
not connive at their destruction, they were criminally 
indifferent about the fate of the wounded prisoners. 
But what marks more strongly the degradation of 
the character of the British soldiers, is the refusal of 
the last offices of humanity to the bodies of the dead. 
The bodies of our country mtn were exposed to evey 
indignity, and became food for brutes, in the sight of 
men who affeet a sacred regard to the dictates of 
honour and religion.— Low indeed is the character 
of that armyi which is reduced to the confession, 
that their savage auxiliaries will not permit them to 
perform the rites of sepulture to the slain. The 
committee have not heen able to discover even tlie 
expression of detestation, which such conduct must 
inspire, from the military or civil authority on the 
Canadian frontier, unless such detestation is to be 
presumed from the choice of an Indian IropKy, as an 
ornament for the Legislative Hall of Upper Canada/' 

At a meeting of the officers who survived the 
l[)attle of Frenchtown^ held at Erie, (Pa.) th© 



70 HISTORY OV THE WAR, 

20th Feb. 1813, the following statement and re- 
solutions were a,^reed to. 

" Whereas it is deemed necessary, that our fellow- 
eitizens should be informed of the late perfidious 
and brutal acts of the British government, performed 
by their officers at the battle of Frenchtown. 

Resolved, That the following statement of the 
conduct o^' the British officers, be published to our 
countrymen : 

That when General Winchester was taken pri- 
soner, on the 22d January, 1813, and brought before 
Colonel Proctor, the British commander, he directed 
Ihe commanding officer of the Americans (Major 
Madison) to surrender. Major Madison refused so 
to do, unless those who surrendered should be free 
from savage massacre ; this was agreed to ; and the 
British officers pledged themselves to have a suffi- 
cient force with the wounded, to protect them, and 
that they should be cc.:,eyed to Maiden the next 
morning. They likewise promised to return to th« 
officers their arms. 

Capt. N. G, F. Hart, inspector to the north-west- 
ern army, being among the wounded, it was pro- 
posed by his friends, that they should carry him 
with them — this they were prevented from doing, by 
Capt. Elliot, a British officer, and an old acquaintance 
oi Captain Hart's, who promised Capt. H. his special 
protection— to convey him in his own sleigh to Mai- 
den that evening, and informing him tliat he should 
be welcooie to remain at his house there, until he 
-should recover. 

These were the firomises of the British— Let our 
countrymen and the world see how they were fulfilled. 

At the break of day next morning, the savages 
were suffered to commit every defiredation ufion our 
nvoiindedy which they fileased. An indiscriminate 
slaughter took place of all who were unable to walk-^ 
many were tomahawked^ and many were burned alive 
in the houses. Among the unfortunate thus mur- 
dered, it is with regret and sorrow we have to naxn^ 
Captains Hart and Hickman. 



HISTORY OP THE WAR. 71 

The arms of the officers, as promised, were never 
returned. Every species of private properly re- 
maining in the tents, belonging to both officers and 
soldiers, were plundered by the savages. 

Resolved: That in consideration of the high re- 
spect we hold to the memories of both officers and 
soldiers, who were thus cruelly murdered, by per- 
mission of the British commander Proctor, and his 
subalterns, and those who gloriously fell in the Jield^ 
defending the only free government on earthy that 
each of us wear black crape on our hats, and left 
arm, for the space ot ninety days. 

Resolved^ That a similar procedure, testifying 
their respect fo. those who were murdered and fell 
on that day, be recommended to our brother officers 
and soldiers, who survived it. 

SAMUEL VV kLLIAMS, President. 
John Beckley, Secreta.y." 

The little progress liitherto made by land, 
against the enemv. had det|H mined ^**^ congress 
and the general government on adopting a more 
efficient plan of warJ^iire. Several new appoint- 
ments of officers were made; and Commodore 
Chauucey was appointed to the command of the 
Jake navy. 

The Commodore arrived at Sacket's harbour 
in October. 1812. His great exertions enabled 
kirn to prepare a fleet in less than a month, with 
which he resolved t) try his fortune on the lake, 
although the British fleet was superior in number 
of vessels, guns, and men. 

The Commodore sailed from Sacket's harbour 
en Lake Ontario. On the Sth ^iov. feH in vith 
and chased the Royal George, until he lost sight 
of her in the night: on the following da,> renew- 
ed the chase, and followed her into Kingston har- 
bour^ where he engaged her and the batteries, fot 



T2 MISTOHY OF THE WAK. 

nearly two hours- — at sun down lie liauled off? 
being ohlii^ed, by badness of the weather, to re- 
turn to Sacket's Harbour. 

'I'he Constitution frigate, having undergone 
every necessary repair, jvroceeded from Boston 
on a second ^ ruise in (>« lobcr. On the 29ih 
December, 18i2, in south lat. 13. 6, and west Ion, 
58, ten leagues distant from the coast of Brazils, 
fell in with, and captured his Britannic Majesty's 
frigate Java, after an action of one hour and 55 
mi utes. The Java carritd \^9 guns and upwards 
of 400 men, and was conimanded hy Captain H. 
Lambert, a brave and galla;.'t officer. The Java 
■was so perfect a wreck, that it seemed extremely 
doubtful whether she could be brought to the 
United States ; she was therefore hurued in two 
days after being captured. 

The Java had been lately out of dock, having 
iindf rgone a thorough repair in order to carry 
out Lieut. Gen. Hisiop who was going as com- 
mander in chief to Bombay. Besides her full 
complement of men, the Java had upwards of 
100 supernumeraries, g«ang to British s{ii|)s >f 
"War in the East Indies ; also neveral officers, pas- 
sengers, going out on promotion, "^riie number 
of men was C'susid* rably more than that of the 
Constitution. By her quarter bill, she had one 
man more stationed at each gun than the Const it u- 
tion had. The loss on board the Constitution w jks 
nine killed and 25 mounded. The enemy had f?0 
tilled, and iOl wounded ; but by a letter writt»ii 
on hoard the Constitution, by ont* of tfie officers 
of the Java, and aecidentally found, it was evi- 
detit that the enemy's wounded must have been 
considerably greater ; the letter states 60 killed, 
and 170 wounded. This additiimal number of 
wounded men have probably died before they 



HISTORY OV TUB WAK. %$ 

coultl be removed. Among the Avounded on board 
the Constitution, was Captain Baiabridge, the 
commander : Captain Lambert of the Java, was 
%vouiided mortally. 

General Hislop was immediately paroled with 
the officers of his staff; and, at the request of 
General Hislop, in a letter, dated St. Salvador, 
Jan. 8, 1813, all the officers of the Java were ia 
like manner paroled — Commodore Bainbridge re- 
stored all the private property of Gen. Hislop, 
Hicluding articles of plate to a large amount. 

The corporation of the city of New York pre- 
sented Commodore Bainbridge, with the freedom 
of the city, on the 8th December, 1813. 

The following resolution was passed by the 
Senate of Massachusetts, the 19th February : 

« Resotved^ That the thanks of this Senate be giv- 
en to Commodore William Bainbridge, and the offi- 
cers and crew of the frigate Constitution, u'der his 
coinmand, for their brilliant achievement in capturing 
and destroying his Britannic Majesty's frigate Java j 
and that vhe commodore be requested to communi- 
cate the same to his officers and crew with an assur- 
ance from this branch of the legisldture, that they 
will hold in gratf ful remembrance, thos" who fell in 
fighting for the essential and violated rights of their 
country." 

Although it is a fact established, beyond the 
power of contradiction, that every possible indul^ 
g^Mice and attention was exercised toward the 
crew of the Java, yet were some of her officers 
so ungrateful as to charge the Americaas with 
having ill used the vamjuished in a variety o? 
ways. In reply to a publi{ ation in the British 
Kaval Chronicle, for May, 181^, by Thomas C\)ok 
Jones, surgeon of the Java, and another publi a- 
tioa in the same paper, for Juae^ by oao of thie 



74} HISTORY OF THE WAE. 

Jjeutenanls of the Java, charging the Atnerlcans 
with cruelty, &c. Mr. Amos A. Kvans, surgeon 
of the frigate Constitution, published in the Bos- 
ton Chroisicle,a complete refutation of the British 
slander, concluding Tvith the following words : 

« I challenge the British to produce a solitary in' 
stance, where they have given a faithfnl ana candid 
relation of the result of their actions with us since the 
declaration of the present war. They have, of late, 
established for themselves a kind of national charac- 
ter, that, I trust, none will euvy them the possession 
of ; they have proved, that although they may not 
always be able to conquer in battle, they can preva- 
ricate, defame or mistake, with as much ease as any 
nation on earth." 

Commodore Rodgers sailed from Boston on the 
Sth Oct. 1812, on his second cruise, having un- 
der liis command the frigate President, t^ie Unit- 
ed States, Captain Decatur ; Congress, Captain 
Smith ; and brig Argus, Captain Sinclair. The 
President and Congress arrived at Boston in De- 
cember. During their cruise, they captured the 
British packet Swallow, with 168,000 dollars on 
board, and British ship Argo, laden with oil 
and whalebone, both of which arrived some time 
before. They saw no enemy's cruisers but the 
Nymphe and Galatea, which they chased, but 
lost sight of in the night. The squadron have 
been as far east as long, 22, and to the south as 
far as lat. 17 N. From the 1st to the SOth Nov. 
they never saw a sail. On the 22d October, ly- 
ing to in a gale, the President sprung her main- 
mast badly, and on the 21st Dec. while lying to 
In the Gulph Stream, shipped a heavy sea, which 
swept the starboard gangway, started the boats, 
killed 2 men and wounded 7. The President 
ferought in 50 prisoners* 



HISTORY OP THE WAR* 74) 

The specie was landed from the President, at 
tlie navy-yard in Charlestown, and being placed 
in six waggons, each carrying the national co- 
lours, was thus carried to the state bank in Bos- 
ton, where it was safely deposited, amidst the 
huzzas of thousands of spectators. 

I'he Commodore parted company with the 
United States and Argus the 12th October. 

TheU. S. brig Viper, Captain Henley, of 12 
guns, was captured on the 17th January, 1813, 
in lat. 29, N. 83, 30, W. by his Britannic majes- 
ty's frigate Narcissus, of 32 guns, after a chase 
of five hours. — No fighting. 

Commodore Bainbridge left the U. S. sloop^ 
of war Hornet, Captain James Lawrence, off the 
harbour of St. Salvador, where she remained 
from the 6th, until the 24th January, blockad- 
ing the Bonne Citoyenne, and another armed 
vessel. Being at length driven from her sta- 
tion by the Montague, of 74 guns, which was 
sent to relieve the Bonne Citoyenne, Captain 
Lawrence proceeded off Demarara river, where, 
on the 24th February, 1813, he fell in with and 
engaged his Britannic majesty^s brig of wav 
Peacock : the action lasted but 15 minutes, in 
Aviiich short space of time, the Peacock was 
literally cut to pieces ; an ensign, union down* 
was hung from the fore-rigging, as a signal at 
once of distress and surrender, Lieut. Shubrick 
who was sent on board her, returned with a re- 
port that she was fast sinking, having then six 
feet of water in her hold. The boats of th^ 
Hornet \iere immediately despatched, and every 
possible exertion made to keep her afloat until 
the prisoners could be removed, by pumping and 
bailing, without effect, as she sunk in five and a 
Ixalf fathoms water, carrying down nine of liev 



^6 HISTORY Oy THE >VAR. 

«rew, and three of the crew of the Kornef , viz.- 
John Hart, Joseph Williams, and Ilantiibal 
Bojd. Several of the Hornet's crew narrowly 
escaped a similar fate, being saved by jumping 
into a boat that was lying on the booms, as she 
%vent down. 

The Peacoek was one of the finest vessels of 
her class in the British navy; she mounted i6 
twenty-four pound carronades, two long nines, 
one twelve pound carronade on her top-gallant 
forecastle, as a shifting gun, and one four or six 
pounder, and two swivels mounted aft ; her crew 
rfionsisted, at the time of the action, of one hun- 
dred and thirty men. 

The loss on board the Peacock could not be 
ascertained by Capt. Lawrence, but must have 
been considerable. Capt. Peake, her command- 
er, and four men were found dead on board, 
and 33 wounded, most of them severely, three 
of which died of their wounds, after being re- 
moved. The total of killed, wounded and drown- 
ed, was certainly 42, and probably more. 

The Espeigle, a British brig, mounting 10 
thirty-two pound carronades, and two long nine's 
Jay about six miles on shore, and within sight of 
the action: she declined coming in aid of hep 
consort, or to approach the victorious ship al- 
though Capt. Lawrence cleared his ship, in ex- 
pectation of a second engagement. 

Captain Lawrence stated, that there were 
two impressed American seamen on board the 
iate British sloop of war Peacock, one a native 
of the state of New -York, and the other a na- 
tive of Norfolk. One of them was preesed two 
years and a half, and the other about 18 months 
previous, neither of them entered, and both were 
eompelled to fight during the engagement with 
the Hornet, 



HISTORY OF THE WAH. tT 

Before the engagement commenced, the above 
meatioued Anierh^.an seamen left their station* 
went to the Captain of (he Peacock, and asked 
his permission to go below, with the crew of the 
brig Hunter, of Portland, as they could not fight 
agiiiast their country. Tbis request was per- 
emptorily refused by Capt. Peake, and the two 
Americans were forced to their station, and com- 
pelled to fight. 

Captain Lawrence further stated, that another 
impressed American was reported to have been 
on board the Peacock, and that he was killed 
during the action. 

The reader should not be carried away with 
the belief, that the commander of the Espeigl© 
was a coward. That may possibly - have been 
the case, but it is far from being probable — . 
Those who wish to allow to American naval he- 
roes their well earned honours, will be readier to 
ascribe the modesty of the Englishmen to the 
effect of American prowess, than to British 
cowardice. Prudence is a virtue which oftcR 
requires courage to exercise. Had the com- 
mander of the Espeigle encountered the victo- 
rious American he would be defeated. He pro- 
bably believed so ; aad, believing it, ho acted 
with prudence. 

The following comment on the capture of the 
Peacock, is extracted from the London Globe. 

" The late captain of the Swallow packet, captured^ 
by the Americans, landed on Monday at Falmouth, 
from on board the Childers sloop of war. He con- 
ftrms the loss of the Peacock, which struck to the 
Hornet, alter a severe and sanguinary conflict, and . 
went down while the enemy were taking out her 
crew. Sixteen English and four Americans went, 
tara in her. The force of the two ycssjcIs was. 



fS HISTORY 0¥ THE WAIT. 

nearly equal. The cipcumstances, therefore, which 
have enabled America thus to add another laurel to 
her brow, it is most important to know, and we trust. 
they will be fully inquired into. In the cases of 
capture by large American frigates, the mercenary 
writers for the Admiralty have assured their read- 
ers that they have, by some charm, been able to prac- 
tice a decefitio visus upon our navy ; that although 
apparently frigates, they are in fact great ships of 
the line ; but as no disparity of size is supposed to 
have existed in this disaster, Mr. Crocker's scribes 
will probably give out, that th€ crew of the Hornet 
were not of the ordinary race of sailors, but that ev- 
ery one was a Hercules in strength, and an Archi- 
medes in science.** 

The following appeared in a Ralifax paper : 
** Jn our extracts from American papers, our read- 
ers will find an account of the capture of the Pea- 
cock. The good fortune of the Americans has not 
forsaken them ; on the contrary, it is more conspi- 
cuous in this than theic previous actions^ JEverj/ 
9ne conversant ivith gunnery must know^ that had a 
vessel been moored for the sole iiurjiose of making 
an EXPERIMENT, it is not at all likely she 'would have 
been sunk in so short a time* 

Previous to the action with the Peacock, 
Capt. Lawrence captured, on the 4th Feb. the 
English brig Resolution, of 10 guns, from Rio 
Janerio, bound to Maranham, which he burned, 
after taking from her about 23,000L sterling, in 
specie. On mustering the morning after the 
action, there were found on board the Hornet 
577 souls, including the crew of the Amerieaa 
brig Hunter, of Portland, taken a few days be- 
fore by the Peacock. This additional proof of 
the superiority of American tactics has not 
been exceeded by any former instance. It may. 
Indeed be said to have decided the relative mer- 



HISTORY or THB WAK, T'f 

its of American and British seamen, the supe- 
riority claimed by the British is no Ioniser mairr- 
tainable — the Americans rank decitJediy as first 
in naval tactrcs. 

Capt. Lawrence, while off St. Salvador, sent 
a challenge to Capt. Greene, of the Bonne Cito- 
yenne, which the latter prudently declined ac- 
cepting. 

The following resolutions passed the Common 
Council of the City of New- York, on -the 29th 
March, 1815. 

«< Resolved. That the freedom of the city be pre- 
sented to Captain Lawrence, together with a piece 
of plate with appropriate devices and inscriptions, 
and that his honour the Recorder be requested to 
forward the same, with a copy of this resolution. 

*^Res)lvedy That in testimony of the high sense 
which this Common Council entertain of the con- 
duct of the crew of the United States* sloop of war 
Hornet, by the capture of his Britannic Majesty's 
sloop of war Peacock, in the unexampled short pe- 
riod of fifteen minutes, that the Common Council 
will give a public dinner to the crew of the United 
States' sloop of war Hornet." 

These many and splendid naval victories de- 
served not only the applause, but the gratitude 
of the nation. Congress was not insensible to 
this. A law passed that body in March, 1813, 
appropriating the sum of ^25,000, to be distri- 
buJed among the officers and crew of the Con- 
stitution, for the destruction of the Guerriere f 
and a like sum of §25,000, for the destruction of 
the Java ; and the sura of §25,000, to be distri- 
buted among the officers and crew of the Wasp, 
for the capture of the Frolic. 

The United States' frigate Chesapeake, Capto. 
Evaas, arrived at Bostoa the 10th April;> ISia^., 



8$ HtSTOHT OP THE WAR. 

from a cmisse of 115 days, havin.i^ sailed from 
the saiiK' pott tlie t7th liecendrer, 181 i. 

From IJostori the ChesajH'ake ran down by 
the Madeiras, Canaries, and Cape de Yerds ; 
thence down on the equator, between long 16 
and 25, where she eruised six weeks ; thence 
down the coast of South America, passing with- 
in 15 leagues of Surrinaui, (was in the same 
place the Hornet sunk the Peacock the day af- 
ter she left,) down by Barhadoes, Antigua, and 
roost of the windward West-India islands; thence 
on the United States, between Bermuda and the 
Capes of Virginia, b^ the Capes of the Delaware, 
within 12 leagues, by Mew- York, within 20 
leagues, thence tlirough the east channel to 
Boston. 

The Chesapeake captured, during her cruise, 
3 British, and one American vessel, sailing under 
a British licence; and re-captured an Ameri- 
can schooner. The Chesapeake was chased by 
two ships of war, (a 74 and a frigate) oif the 
"Western Islands. Off the Capes of Yirginia, 
gave chase to a sloop of war, and continued 
chasing for 2 days, when the sloop escaped in 
the night. Seven men died of a malignant fe- 
ver ; and 3 were lost by the carrying away of 
the main- top mast, during a heavy flaw, the day 
before Iter arrival in port. 

General Harrison was at Fort Meigs the 20th 
April, 1813, and gave directions to prepare to 
defend the place against an attack, which he ap- 
prehended, from the movements of the enemy. 
Fortifications were accordingly carried on with 
great diligence, and every means used to animate 
the men to defend the post. On the 2()th and 
37lh, the reconnoitering parties of the enemy 
appeared eu the opposite shore; but sooa retires! . 



HISTORY OF THE WAIU SI 

The Indians Avere sent across the river during 
the night of the 28th, and was placed so as to 
■surround the garrison. The siege commenced 
in form, on the 29th, and firing was kept up dur- 
ing this and the following day, by the enemy, 
wliose works were considerably impeded and in- 
jured by the firing from the fort. By the 1st of 
May, the works of the fort were so far complet- 
ed, as to enable the besieged to give the enemy a 
very warm reception, silencing one of their guns 
several times. During the 2d and 3d, the fire 
on both sides continued very brisk. 

On the 4th, General Clay reached Fort Win- 
chester, wirh upwards of 100 men, for the relief 
of the American garrison. On the 5th, a part 
of General Clay's men arrived, and instructions 
^vere sent to him by Gener^S Harrison, directing 
liim how to act in his advance towards the fort. 

Great zeal, and undaunted courage, are true 
characteristics of the American soldiers ; to 
these qualities the Kentuckian adds a wonderful 
contempt of daoger. On this occasion, the ene- 
jTiy received much benefit from that cool caution 
which enabled him to draw the uncalculatiitg 
soldier into defiles, and within the reach of his 
ambuscade. Col. Dudley, who was ehnrged with 
despatches for Gen. Clay, received (lie command 
of a detachment of Clay's men, landed, on the 
opposite side of the river, with a view to attack 
the enemy's batteries ; he behaved with great 
courago, but pursued the enemy until he was 
drawn into an ambush, uhere the greater num- 
ber of his men were destroyed by numbers vastly 
superior ; many of those wlio surrendered, were 
afterwards tomahawked and scalped by the sav- 
ages. Col. Dudley was among the killed. Gen. 
Clay, who continued in command of the remaia- 



ftl HliTORT &E THE WAR. 

der of his detaehment, having landed near the 
fort, permitted (he men to pursue Ihe enemy in- 
to the woods, and was saved from a fate similar 
to that of the heroic and unfortunate I>udlej, by 
the prudenco and foresight of Gen. Harrison, 
who sent out a party <o support Clay, and defend 
his retreat. The Indians took advantage of the 
opportunity this afforded them, to attack the 
boats, which Gen. Clay left unguarded ;the sick 
men in the hoats were butchered, and the bag- 
gage carried off. 

The bravery of the American troops during 
these conflicts, were remarkably brilliant. Fre- 
quent charges were made, under direction of 
Col. Miller, Major Alexander, Captains Croghan^ 
Neving, Bedford, and Longham, Every bat- 
tery on the American side of the river were sue- 
eessfully carried* 

The enemy, a/ler this, thought only of retreat- 
ing, which he etTected in great hurry on the 9th, 
An exchange of prisoners was previously eflTected. 

The American loss, during 13 days the enemy 
were before the fort, amounted to 81 killed, and 
18Q wounded, exclusive of the loss of Dudley's 
detachment, which exceeded 200 iu killed and 
missing. 

The enemy's loss must have been much great- 
er, as his number of men far exceeded that of 
the Americans. The enemy was frequently de- 
feated by detachments not more than a third of 
his number. 

Col. Miller, with 350 men, made a saHie, in 
which he defeated the enemy, consisting of 2Ga 
regulars, 150 militia, and 500 Indians. Captain 
Sebre's company of Kentucky militia, maintain- 
ed its ground against four times its number, un- 
til rescued from unavoidable destruction, by th© 



BISTORT OF THE WATU $& 

Ijravery of Lieut. Gwynne, of the 19th regiment, 
and apart of Capt Elliot's company. 

From the best account, the besiegers consisted 
of 560 regulars, SOO militia, and mor« than :^000 
Indians. 

On the 25th April, 1813, Commodore Chaun- 
eey sailed from Sacket's Hai'bour, having on 
board his fle^^t about 1700 troops, destined to 
comtnencc operations against Canada. I'hejr 
arrived opposite Little York, the capital of Up- 
per Canada, on the morning of the 27th April, 
and immediately commenced the landing of the 
troops, under a heavy fire from the enemy. — . 
After a very severe and sharp contest of half 
an hour, the enemy was repulsed by a number 
far inferior to theirs. As soon as the remain- 
der of the troops had landed, the enemy retired 
to his works. One battery being carried, the 
troops were advaueing towards the main works, 
1/vhen a tremendous explosion to«>k place from 
a magazine previously prepared, and which 
threw out an immense quantity of stones, by 
which the Americans lost in killed and wound- 
ed about 200 men ; among the killed, the gallant 
Bngadier-General Pike. The British regular 
troops having retreated, the commanding officer 
of the railitia agreed to terms of capitulation, 
a^id the capital of Upper Canada was surrender- 
ed to the American troops. The American 
loss in killed, and wounded, was 269. The 
enemy's loss in killed, wounded and prisoners, 
930, 

As an evidence of the barbarity of the enemy, 
the following despatch from Commodore Chaun- 
Cey to the Secretary of the Navy, is given : 

Sir, — T have the honour to present to you by the 
ixwids of Lieut. Dudley, the British standard, taken 



$^: HISTOUT or THE WAH. 

at York on the 27th April last, accompanied by 
the mace, over which was hunjj a human scalp — • 
These articles were taken from the parliament house 
by one of my officers, and presented to me. The 
scalp 1 caused to be presented lo General Dearborn, 
who, I believe, still has it in his possession. I also 
send, by the same gentleman, one of the British flags 
taken a Fort George on the 27th of May. I have 
the honour to be, ver> respectfully, Sir, your most 
obedient humble servant, 

ISAAC CHAUNCEY. 

The riflemen, under Major Forsyth, first laud- 
ed, under a heavy fire fsosn the eneinj ; General 
Pike, to whom the immediiile eonmiand of the 
troops was entrusted, landed as promptly as pos- 
sible after, the remaining troops soon tbllowed. 
The contest, on the first hi: ding of the troops, 
was sharp a'd severe ; the enemy derivi ?g much 
advantage from the circumstance that Maj. For- 
syth was driven by adverse wind from the des- 
tined point of landing. As soon as Gf n. Pike 
latided, he ordered his men to adva ;ce up the 
bank, which they resolutely performed in face of 
a vvar.n discharge of musquetry. The moment 
Pike reached the top, and was about 6i dt^ring a 
charge, the enemy hastily retreated. General 
Dearborn went ashore as soon as he learned that 
General Pike was wounded. I'he town capitu- 
lated to Col. Pierce, of the 16th infantry, on 
w?iom the command devolved after General Pike 
"was disabled. General SheaflTe commanded tlie 
British. 

On the 22d May, 4813, Commodore Chauncey 
sailed from 8avket*s Harbour, having 350 iiR^n 
of Col. M-Comb's regiment on board, and arriv- 
ed near Niagara on the 2.^th; the other parts of 
Ms squadron had arrived before, and landed their 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 't^ 

troops. The commodore had an immediate in- 
terview with Gen. Dearborn, and a plan of ope- 
rations against the enemy was agreed on. On 
Ihe 26th the commodore reconnoitcred the posi- 
lion for landing the troops ; and, at night, sound- 
ed the shore. The morning of the 27th, was 
fixed on for an attack on the enemy at Fort 
George. The heavy artillery, and as many troops 
as could be stowed, were taken on board the 
fleet, the remainder were ordered to embark on 
board boats, and follow the fleet. At 3 o'clock 
in the morning, a signal was made for the fleet 
to weigh, and the troops were embarked on board 
the boats before four; aiad soon after Generals 
Dearborn and Lewis went on board the fleet. In 
the course of the morning the different vessels 
advanced, and took positions as directed. All 
the vessels anchored within musket shot of the 
Canada shore ; and in ten minutes aHer they o- 
pent'd upun the batteries, they were completely 
siU'uced and abandoned. The light troops, un- 
der Coi Scott and M;\j. Fors^yth, landed at nine 
o'clock ; Gen, Lewis's divisions with light artil- 
lery, under Co!. Porter, supported them. Gen. 
Boyd's brigade landed imniedialely after the 
light trops ; and Generals* Winder and Chand- 
ler followed in quick succession. The moment 
had arrived which must put tbe courage, skill, 
and patriotism of tbe soUlier asid the citizen to 
the most frying test. Every apparent advantage 
was on the side of the enemy. I'he British com- 
inander expeiled the attaek, and he wa^ p:*?- 
pared to resist it ; it was broad day-light bei'ore 
a landing could be eflleted. which cii'cumstau'v}e 
gave to the enemy si<iTieient titue to ascertain 
the point of atta k, anil no c»>i!ect and arrai?ge 
his whole force ; a ravine and wood eouceaied 
u 



86 HISTORT OT THE WAP.. 

his force ; liis position was naturally strong, be* 
Jng the brow oC a high bank, so steep tiiat th« 
artillery, which landed with Boyd's brigade, with 
the utmost exertions of the men, coiild not he 
l)rought into the action until some time after i\m 
enemy had broke and fled ; the enemy's force 
exceeded 2000 regulars, and, including militia 
and Indians, amounted i o at least 2500 men. His 
regulars were veterans of tried courage, great 
experience, and long service ; his militia were 
trained and disciplined, his savages wrought into 
the most phrenzied animosity against the Ame- 
Ticans. Against this host, the Americans could 
bring only 1800 men, raw recruits, almost stran- 
gers to discipline, not innurcd to danger, and few 
of whom had ever seen a battle. Such was the 
disparity, such the danger to be encountered, and 
such the enemy to be vanquished. The Ameri- 
can boats being too few in number, were crowded 
■with men ; on their approaching the shore a most 
tremendous fire was opened on them. The lake 
was covered with foam, and the bank was en- 
veloped in a continual blaze. Fortunately the 
aim of the enemy was not so accurate as his fire 
was rapid. No sooner had the light troops under 
Col. Scott landed, than, under their gallant lea- 
tier, they attempted to gain the bank. Thrioe 
with the most persevering courage was the at- 
tempt made, and thrice they were repelled by an 
enemy more than five times their number. Boyd 
with the first brigade, had by this time landed, 
about five minutes after Scott. The troops were 
immediately formed in platoons and companies^ 
and rushed up the bank. Boyd was the first to 
gain the summit, and for a moment was alone ex- 
posed to the enemies fire. His distance from the 
British lines was not more than eight or ten 



MISTORY OF THE WAK» 85? 

y;jrds at fuitliest, when every bayonet was in- 
stantly dhecled towards liini. But the troops 
had cuu.^ht too large a pori ion of the spirit of 
their chief, to leave hiui long in this perilous 
situation. He was quiekly surrounded by his 
brave companions, and our line was soon formed 
at a distance, varying from Use to ten yards from 
that of the enemy. It was not till this time that 
the battle could be said to have fairly commenc- 
ed. The patient courage of our raw recruits 
had been most severely tried, in approaching the 
shore, amidst showers of bullets, in receiving 
with unshrinking firmness, a tremendous and de- 
^ructive fire, which they could not return. — 
Hieir intrepidity was now to be proved in tho 
face of superior numbers of veterans, strength- 
ened by a considerable irregular force of militia 
and Indians. The fire of our men was rapid and 
exact, to a degree seldom surpassed ; but the su- 
periority of the foe enabled him to maintain his 
ground about fifteen minutes. The victory was 
yet doubtful, when the men heard the voice of 
their chief exclaiming the enemy fiy. The effect 
of this cheering sound in our ranks was decisive. 
It produced an instantaneous movement of our 
whole line. And the enemy before crossing bay- 
onets, broke and fled with the utmost precipita- 
tion, leaving upwards of one hundred dead on the 
field of battle, two hundred wonnded, and one 
liiindred prisoners. The victory was complete. 
Boyd's brigade, and Scott's light troops, who 
alone were in the battle, pursued the enemy to 
Queenston. If any thing could enhance tho 
value of the victory, it was tho fact of its being 
purchased at so trifling a loss. 

The enemy lost 108 killed, 1S3 wounded, and 
113 taken prisoners. Ti^^e Americans lost 31>- 



SS HISTORY OF THE WAB. 

killed, and 111 wounded. In the enemy's loss, 
Sf07 militia, who were parolled, are not included. 

The merits of this battle, so far as they apper- 
tained to the commander, belonged to General 
Boyd. He commanded during the whole of the 
action, the division under General Winder not 
feeing able to reach the scene of action until after 
the enemy had fled. 

Prior to the taking of Fort George, three A- 
mericans in the camp, who refused to bear arms, 
were, by order of Colonel Clark taken out, and 
without ceremony shot / This infernal scound- 
cirel met with his deserts soon after — he was kil- 
led at the time of the surprise of Generals AVin* 
der and Chandler. 

A fire was kept up at intervals, during the 
succeeding night, from the batteries at Fort Erie. 
On the morning of the 28th, all the magazines 
fi^om Chippewa to point Albino were blown up ^ 
the enemy retreated, and Fort Erie, was entered 
in the afternoon by the American troops. 

In these different transactions, Commodore 
Chauncey bore a spirited and useful part. The 
loss on board his fleet consisted of five killed, and 
eleven wounded. 

Capt. Perry, afterwards known as the hero of 
J^rie, volunteered his services on this occasion^ 
and materially aided in securing success. <« He 
was, according to Com. Chauncey's report, <* pre- 
sent at every point where he could be useful, un- 
der showers of musketry, but fortunately escaped 
unhurt.'* 

The enemy, probably with a wish to perform 
some exploit that might balance his losses in the 
neighbourhood of Niagara prepared, with a strong 
force, to attack the American force at Sacket's 
Harbour. On the 38th May the enemy's fleet 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 89 

appeared, accompanied by a large number of 
boats. Lieut. Cbauncej^, of the navy, came in 
from the lake, firing alarm guns. General Jacob 
Brown, who commanded the fort, made every 
possible disposition to repel the menaced attack. 
On the nmrning of the '49ih, 33 large boats, filled 
with troops, came off from the enemy, and pro- 
ceeded to Garden Island, under cover of some^ 
gun>boatSi The militia, stationed near where 
tlie enemy proposed to land, fired with consider- 
able effect, and then fled from their post. The 
enemy eflected a landing with about 1200 men 
at Horse Inland. A detachment of militia, un- 
der command of Capt. T^l^Nitt, threw themselves, 
with considerable effect, on the rear of the ene- 
my's left flank, while the regulars, under Col* 
Backus, engaged and routed him. Geo. Prevost 
who commanded the British expedition, retreated 
with great precipitation, under protection of the 
guns of his vessels ; and thus saved himself and 
men from being made prisoners. According to 
a previous arrangement, it was agreed, that ia 
a certain event, the stores, &c. at the navy- 
point, should be destroyed. This event did not 
happen ; but some person, unauthorised, brought 
information to Lieut. Ghauncey, that the battle 
was lost — tlie stores, accordingly were destroyed. 
Gen. Jacob Brown, of the state of New- York, 
who commanded the land forces at Sacket's 
Harbour, gave a substantial proof of those mili- 
tary talents, which, in all his subsequent opera- 
tions, were so conspicuously useful to his coun- 
try, and so uniformly honourable to himself, that 
even envy never dared lisp an insinuation dis- 
creditable or dishonourable to the general. Sir^ 
James Lucus Yeo commanded the British fleet,. 



9% HISTORY OP THE WAH. 

The enemy's loss was very considerable, includ- 
ing several officers of distinction. The Ameri- 
cans lost ahout 150 in killed and wounded ; Col. 
Mills was killed, and Colonel Backus mortally 
wounded. About 400 regular troops sustained 
the heat of the action. 

At the close of the action, a British barge, 
with a naval lieutenant, under a flag of truce, 
came to the bank of the river, and demanded of 
an officer, v \o was standing there, in the name 
of the general and commodore, the surrenderor 
Saeket's Harbour. The officer replied « No,'j^ 
and the flag returned. 

The pride and presumed authority of Britai: 
on her own domain, the ocean, was material 1, 
tarnished. Tlie laurels plucked from France 
Spain, FortugaU and Holland, were withering 
and seemed to be transferred to adorn the brov 
of the hitherto despised commanders of the Li 
liputian fleet of America. It was resolved, b 
the enemy, to retrieve lost honour. An exp< 
dient was resorted to which was successful, i 
far as the capturing of a ship, yet an astonishc 
and admiring world remained unaltered in tl 
opinion, that the superiority of American ta 
was not lessened by the event, nor the fadir 
lustre of British iavincibility, in any manner r 
trieved.. l 

For some time before the first of June, fj 
British frigates Tenedos, Bellepoule, and Sh?t 
ijon, were oflTthe harbour of Boston, where t 
Chesapeake lay. The Tenedos and Bellepou: i 
having put a part of their crew on board t^^ f 
Shannon, proceeded to sea. The Shannon (i" J 
best frigate in the British navy,) appeared ah 3 
off the harbour, on which the Chesapeake ^c* 
imcter weigh; at meridlgip, on 1st June 5 at la 



HISTORY or THE WAK, 9i 

minutes before six, an netion commenced, within 
pistol sliui, and in a few niimites the vessels 
closed ; the mni ehest of ihe Chesapeake uas 
blown up bv a hand /grenade, thrown from the 
eneoij's ship, and imiuediatel^v af(er, the Ches- 
apeake was carried b^ boarding, and the pri- 
vate signals of ihe nav^ of the United States fell 
into the hands of the eaemj. 

The enen;^> boasted not of this victory, it cost 
him too dear, and was* an indisputable proof of 
AmericAn bravery. Never was there su^'h car- 
nage between two ships, in so short a time.— 
The loss on board the Shannon eanuot be exact- 
ly ascertained ; the loss on board the Chesa^ 
peake, was 48 killed, and 96 wounded. Total 
killed and wouoded,^ 14^i. 

Every officer, iipon whom the command of 
the sliip would devolve, was either killed or 
wounded previously to the capture of the ves- 
sel. Fhe brave Captain Lawrence was mortally 
wounded. 

On the authority ofCapt. John Upton, com- 
mander of the privateer Cossack, of Salem, the 
following circumstances were published in aia^ 
eastern paper t 

" After the enemy had complete possession of the 

ship, and the men were ordered from the tops, Mr. 

Berry, a midshipman, who commanded the mizen 

op, surrendered himself as a prisoner, when two 

,ailors rushed up, and seized him by the collar, cr- 

emfited to throw him overboard^ but he got within 

he shrouds, when they seized him by the heels, and 

brew him on the deck ! Being stunned by the fall, 

e lay some time senseless, and when he came too, 

ic was cut over the head with a cutlass, which near- 

/ terminated his existence. Mr. Livingston, ano- 

tker midshipman, after receiving a musket fegll:. 



&2 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

through his body, was run through the body three 
times, notwithstanding iiis repeated cries lor quar- 
ters, (and after the enemy had poi^session oi the 
ship !) he lived long enough to express iiis indig- 
nation at the brutality of his enemies, and expired 
in a few hours. Three men were killed in the hold 
after the capture of the ship ; and they even fired in- 
to the cockfiit^ among the wounded and dying 1 Ele- 
ven of the Chesapeake's officer's were confined in a 
small place nine feet by six, with a guard at the door^ 
till their arrival at Halifax, and only one or two per- 
mitted to come out at a time. Men were shot at in 
coming down out of the tops to surrender them- 
selves, and other instances of barbarity took place,, 
disgraceful to a civilized people.'* 

The boasting ot* British editors and the re- 
joicings of British partizans, were rather mad 
than enthusiastic on the recovery of her tri- 
dent by the mistress of the deep ; but this re- 
joicing did not long continue ; the facts con- 
nected with the engagement could not be long 
concealed. The cowardly superiority of the 
enemy, the unexampled bravery of the Ameri- 
cans, and the great loss of blood in defence of 
their flag, especially when contrasted with for- 
mer engagements in which the enemy was de- 
feated, left no solid ground for exultation, no- 
thing of which to boast. The unprejudiced 
reasoner will be yet found holding the laurel^ 
and doubting whether to award it to the victor 
OP the vanquished. The honours conferred on 
Capt. Broke, by his countrymen, were justly due 
to great valour, of which he is certainly posses- 
sed, although in this instance, it was tarnished 
by a dastardly plan to render success certain. 

The body of Captain Lawrence was interred ! 
at Halifax; on tlife Stli June, oo which occasion 



HISTORY OF THE WAR, 93 

the British officers joined in procession, to show 
their respect for a naval commander, whose he- 
roism, sliill and demeanor, drew respect from 
all, even from the enemy. 

Captain Crowninshield, of Salem, (Ms.) hav- 
ing obtained a flag of truce, proceeded to Hali- 
fax in the brig Henry, at his own private ex- 
pense ; and, being permitted to take on board 
his vessel, the body of Captain Lawrence, and 
also that of Lieutentant Ludlow, brought the 
eorpses to Salem, where a funeral procession 
took place, on the 17th August, with every mark 
of regret, esteem, and gratitude, which the citi- 
zens could bestow. Judge Story delivered a 
suitable oration : ih& effect produced on the au- 
dience when the orator pronounced the last dy- 
ing words of Lawr^'nce, "dont give up the 
SHIP,'* may be conceived 5 to describe it would 
be impossible. 

Mr. Edward N. Cox, brother-in-law to Cap- 
tain Lawrence, proceeded to Salem, and, having 
received the bodies of the two hej'oes, convey- 
ed them to the city of New- York, where they 
were finally interred. The arrangements for a 
public funeral were made, under the direction of 
a committee of the common council of the city. 

On Thursday, the 16th September, pursuant 
to arrangements, the bodies of our valiant coun- 
trymen, Lawrence and Ludlow, were finally 
consigned to the peaceful tomb. The unusual 
number which swelled the mournful procession, 
and the undissembled sorrow which marked ev- 
ery countenance from the highest to the lowest 
order, evinced in an unparalleled degree, the 
public sympathy, and that the honours paid to 
the <* miglity dead" were not more conspicuous 
thao deserved. On no similar occasion have we 



9^ HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

witnessed a testimoaial of respect so uniyer- 
sal and sincevc. It was indeed a day of mourn- 
ing. The hearts of hoary patriots, and youth- 
ful heroes, beat in solemn unison, and the bright 
eye of beauty glistened with a tributary tear. 
Not only the reflections arising from such a 
s-tene, but every transaction connected with the 
proceedings of the day, were calculated to in- 
spire with reverence the coldest and most disin- 
terested spectator. 

The concourse of spectators who witnessed 
ihis interesting and impressive exhibition, was 
innumerable, and is supposed to amount to for- 
ty or fifty thousand. The streets were lined, 
the windows crowded, and tite roofs ©overetl 
with citizens, viewing* the grand and folema 
spectacle. The procP5>sion of boats in the har- 
bour, from its novelty in particular, attracted 
Biui'h attention, and ihp^ wharves aad the rig- 
ging of the vessels in the docks, were crowded 
with spectat jrs. 

The earporation madf a provision of ,1,000 
dollars for each of the two infant children of 
Captain Lawrence. 

An application to the British naval officer. 
Captain Oliver, for permission to convey th« 
bodies of Lawrence and Ludlow, by water, to 
New-York was shamefully refused. 

The following extracts, translated from a 
French paper, is worthy of a place here. 

'« The British, who had triumphed in so many na- 
val combats, previously to the prevailing American 
war, have long relinquished the practice of rejoicing 
for victories obtained over a single frigate. If an 
achievement of that sort took place against any of 
the European powers, the detail of the action was 
merely inserted in the London Gazette, the papers. 



HISTORY or THE WAR. Sa 

«)f the metropolis echoed the narrative, paid a press- 
iwf; compliment to the officer, and the aflair went 
off, being recorded firo memoria^ in the Naval 
Chronicle, as a thing of course. Votes of honour 
from the corporation of London, a sword of a hun- 
dred guineas value, and parliamentary encomiumsj 
were reserved for the hero who should destroy si 
Jleet. The battle of the Nile, that of Trafalgar, 
and the like, were alone brilliant enough to excite 
the applause of a people grown callous to common 
feats of renown, and who, accustomed to vanquish 
every thing on the ocean, believed themselves om- 
nipotent on that element. In the Americans the 
British have found an enemy that has obstructed 
the agreeable train of their maritime ideas. The 
citizens of the United States are the best seamen 
in the world. Their officers are men of nautical 
science, of great experience, and generally in the 
prime of life. The first naval conibat of the war, 
marked, not a single equality of skill and courage 
in the men of the two countries, but a decided su- 
periority in favour of the Americans. If the Eng- 
lish pride was mortified at the sudden reverse in 
the capture of the Guerriere, the whole British go- 
vernment was thrown into consternation at the cap- 
ture of the Macedonian, the Java, the Frolic, and the 
Peacock. Such rapid and successive defeats made 
the cabinet of St. James bristle again ; it seemed as 
if all the English captains were doomed to pass, one 
after the other, under the Yankee yoke, or to the re- 
gions of the dead 1** 

" A triumph gained by something very like an 
artifice, has given occasion to the ntosi extravagant 
demonstrations of joy in London. A member uf 
ParMament, whose name is Crooker^ which in the 
English tongue, signifies a noisy, but contemptible 
reptile, has pronounced on the occasion a most 
preposttrouseulogium, and the ccuporation of L^jU- 
4en havetreated the affair as if the fleets of ail the 



96 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

world had been anchored in the Thames, as trophi©?* 
of their valour 1 Who is there that does not perceive 
in this vapouring of the Islanders, a real fear for 
their ultimate naval superiority ? The Americans 
■will soon recover from this event. They are a pec* 
pie that do not yield to misfortune. We had some 
cxp^ rience of them 30 years ago ; and they have 
already evinced that they have not degenerated." 

The barbarous usage which the crew of the 
Chesapeake received fronfi the enemy, when con- 
trasted with the treatment which the brave Law- 
rence and his crew observed, when they were 
victors, is (he best possible comment on the cha- 
ract< r of both nations. 

It is a fact worthy of note, and in the highest 
degree honourable to our brave tars, that on the 
clay preceding the destruction of the Peacock, 
the crew of the Hornet made a subscription, and 
supplied the prisoners (who had lost almost eve- 
ry thing,) with two shirts, and a jacket andtrow- 
sers each. 

The following is the official report of an ex- 
i;raoi'dinary event which occurred June 6. 
Copy of a letter from Major-general Dearborn, to 
the secretary of war. 
Head-Quarters^ Fort George^ June 6, 1815. 

Sir — I have received an express from the head of 
the lake this evening, with intelligence, that our 
troops, commanded by Brig. Gen, Chandler, were at- 
tacked at two o'clock this morning by the whole ©f 
the British and Indian forces, and by some strange 
fatality, though our loss was small, (not exceeding^ 
thirty) and the enemy completely routed and driven 
from the field, both Brig. Generals Chandler and 
Winder, were taken prisoners. They had advance^ 
to ascertain the situation of a company of artillery, 
when the attack commenced. Grntral Vincent is 
iS^id to be among the killed of the enenzy ; Colonel 



HISTOKT or THE WAU« ^t 

Clarke was mortally wounded, and fell into our 
hands, with 60 prisoners of the 49th British regiment. 
Tne whole loss of the enemy is 250. They sent in 
a flcig with a request to bury the dead. Gen. Lewis, 
accompanied by Brig. Gen, Boyd, goes on to take the 
command of the advance troops.'* 

It appears, that on this occasion, the advanc- 
ed guard of the Am<^rican army commenced a 
sharp skirmish with the advance of the enemy, 
in the afternoon of the 6th June ; the latter was 
compelled to retreat in a thick wood. In the 
evening, the Americans took a position behiud 
Stoney creek ; the light infantry and part of the 
rifle corps, on the right of the 25th regiment, 
formed the right wing ; the artillery, under Capt, 
Townsend, and L. Leonard, the centre ; the 5th, 
16th, and 23d infantry, and Eome riflemen, the 
left ; and the cavalry in the rear ; the picket 
guards were strong, and so placed, as to surround 
the encampment wiUi ceatinels. The whole 
force did not exceed 1000 men, but their disposi- 
tion was the best that could be made. Three 
hundred men were eneamped on the border of 
the lake, for the protection of the boats. 

About two o'clock in the morning, the enemy 
forced the picket, and attacked the en(5atnpment 
in the dark, with his whole force of regulars and 
Indians. The Americans withstood and resisted 
the enemy with such resolution and suceess, that 
when the day dawned, none of the enemy were 
to be seen, but the killed and wounded, who 
covered the field of battle. 

The attack began on the right and was gal- 
lantly repelled by the fire of the light tioops 
and 25th regiment, commanded by Maj. Smith, 
la a few minutes it became generaj along tJ.c 
"whole line, and was nobly returned b^ the ar- 

X 



^8 filSTORT OF THE WAH. 

tillery of the centre, commanded by Captain? 
I'ownsend, and L. Leonard, and by the troops of 
the left wing, viz. the 5th under Lieut. Coh Mil- 
ton, the 'iod commanded by Maj. Armstrong, 
and the 16th. The fire continued with little in- 
termission for one hour, during wliich time the 
enemy attempted, by frequent charges, to break 
our line, but without effect, being obliged to give 
way by the well directed fire of our brave troops. 

The 13th and 14th regiments (which had been 
detached the preceding evening) were active in 
making prisoners, and advanced with as much ar- 
dor to the field, in hopes of sharing with the 
gallant 5th, and 22d, ^2od, and light troops, the 
glory of another combat. But the unfortunate 
capture of Brig. Gens. Chandler and Winder, 
who were taken in the action unknown to any 
part of the army, and hurried to the enemy's 
lines, prevented the future operations from be- 
ing carried into effect, willi the promptitude 
which assuredly would have taken place, had 
either of those officers been present to com- 
mand. 

As soon as it was discovered that generals 
Winder and Chandler were prisoners, Colonel 
James Burn, on whom the command devolved, 
summoned a council of war, a majority of w horn 
decided, that the army ought to retire to its 
former position, at Forty-mile creek. 

The army on this occasion has proved its 
firmness and bravery, by keeping its position in 
a night attack, in which the yells of the Indians^ 
mingled with the roaring of the cannon and mus- 
lictry were calculated to intimidate. ITie ene- 
my charged repeatedly, and so dark was the 
night, that our army could not distinguish friend 
iVom foe ; in one of these they succeeded in 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 9» 

earrying off a six pounder, howitzer, and a cais- 
son, to the ,qreat niorliAeation of our brave ar- 
tillery. I Lis presumed it was on that occasion al- 
so that we lost our generals, who were distinctly 
heard encouraging our men to fight. The squa- 
dron of dragoons remained formed and steady 
at (heir posts, hut could not act on account of the 
darkness of the night, and the thickness of the 
adjacent woods. 

Refiort of killed, wounded and missing, in the action 
of the 6th June, at iS^toney Creek, 

Killed — 1 Serjeant, 1 corporal, 15 privates. 

Wounded — 1 captain, I Serjeant, 2 corporals, and 
^4 privates. 

Missing — 2 brigadier-generals, I major, 3 captainsj^^ 
I subaltern, 9 Serjeants, 4 corporals, 80 privates. 

Total — killed, wounded and missing, 154. 

Correct returns from the reports of the different 
corps in the action, of the 6th inst. at Stoney Creek, 
J. JOHNSON, Ast. A.dj. Gen. 

The enemy acknowledged to have on this oc- 
easion, (he 8th, or king's regiment, 280 men ; 
4*9th regiment, 430— Total regular 710, besides 
« a powerful body of Indians under the Chief 
Norton." As the enemy makes no men(]on of 
his militia, and he is knowu to under-rate his 
actual force in every action, it may be supposed 
that his force, in the engagement at Stoney-creek, 
was very considerable. 

The American army took up a position at 
For(y-mile creek, ten miles in rear of the ground 
on which it had been attacked. Here it wasjoin- 
ed at five o'clock in the afternoon of the 7th June, 
by a reinforcement under the command of Gen. 
Lewis. At six o'clock in the evening, the hos(ile 
fleet hove in sight ; (he Americans lay on their 
arms during the oight. At dawn of day the 



ydr'. 



iOO HISTORY aF THE >VAlg. 

squadron appeared about a mile from the shore ^ 
about six o'clock towed in a large schooner, (ifc 
being a dead calm,) with a view to destrojannm- 
feer of boats attached to the Anierican army 
■which lay on the beach. By means of a tempo- 
rary furnace, constructed in half an hour, under 
direction of Capt. Totten, of the engineers, and 
fey the successful fire fromfour pieces of artillery, 
worked by the men of Captain Archer and Tow- 
son's companies, the enemy's schooner was com- 
pelled to retire, without effecting the destruction 
of the boats. A party of Indians having occu- 
pied a commanding eminence, eommeneed an at- 
tack on the Americans, but were soon dislodged^ 
and forced to retreat before a party of volunteers, 
under command of Lieut. Eld ridge, adjutant in 
Col. Chrystie's regiment. Sir James Yeo, com- 
mander of the enemy's fleet, having failed in his 
attack on the boats, sent a flag to the American 
commander, demanding a surrender of the army j 
to this a verbal negative was given. On the i 4th, 
a part of the camp equipage and baggage were 
put in boats, and the weather being favoura- 
ble, the boats put off, without waiting for a de- 
tachment of 200 men, which was ordered to go 
on board for the purpose of protecting them, in 
case of being attacked. It was a short time 
calm, but a breeze springing up, when they had 
progressed about three miles, they were borne 
down upon by an armed schooner ; the most en- 
terprising kept on and escaped, others ran to the 
shore and deserted their boats ; twelve of the 
boats, principally containing baggage of the of- 
ficers and men, were taken. At ten o'clock. Gen. 
Lewis put the army in motion, in order to return 
to Niagara ; the Canadian militia and savages 
hnng on their flanks and rear, during the retpeal. 



HISTORV OF THE WAR. 101 

Lieul. Colonel U<Krstler was deUolied on the 
evenin;; of tlie 23(1 Jiiria, witli 570 men to a place 
called I5«niver-dairis, about 9 miles iVom Queens- 
ton, to disperse a body of the enemy collected 
there. Tlie enemy's force was understood to 
consist of above 80 regulars, 150 or 200 miUna> 
and 50 or 6i) Indians. Col. Bcerstler's detach- 
ment peached within about two miles of Beaver- 
dams, at eight o*clockin the morning, when it was 
attacked from an ambuscade consisting of 500 
regulars, and 100 Indians, but soon repulsed the 
enemy, and then retired to a clear field, and sent 
an express for reinforcements. A reinforcement 
of 300 men, under command of Col. Chrystie, 
was quickly marched to the aid of Col. Roerst- 
ler ; but, on arriving at Queenston, was in- 
ormed, that Lieut. Col. Bcerstler, with his com- 
mand, had surrendered to the enemy. The re- 
inforcement returned to camp. The American 
troops fought with great bravery for Im'o hours, 
while surrounded by superior numbers. General 
Dearborn, in his official statement, dated at Fort 
George, June 25th, expresses his surprise, " why 
it should Lave been deemed proper to remain 
several hours in a position surrounded by woods, 
without either risking a decisive action, or effect- 
ing a retreat, remains to bo accounted for, as 
well as the projectof waiting for a reinforcement 
from a distance of fifteen or sixteen miles." This 
difficulty was soon cleared up by Major Chapin, 
who commanded the militia at the battle of Bea- 
ver dams, but who arrived at Buffaloe in the 
night of the 13th July, having, together with 
his company, escaped from the enemy, after be- 
ing prisoners of war. Capt. Chapin stated, that 
the enemy was considerably superior in nuxnber^ 
r^otwithstanding which, Lieut. Colonel Botustlcr 
I % 



103 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

would ha\e been able to maintain bis position, or 
cut a passaj^e tbrougb the enemy, so as to effect 
a retreat ; but at this juncture a British officer 
rode up and demanded the surrender of the A- 
mericau party. The demand was made, he said, 
to prevent the effusion of blood. He asserted 
also, upon his honour, and declared in the most 
solemn manner, that the British regular force 
was double that of the American, and that the 
Indians were 700 in number. Lieut. Col. Boerst- 
ler, under a belief of these facts, and thinking it 
impracticable to get off the wounded, whom he. 
was unwilliog to abandon to the mercy of the sa- 
vages, and deeming it extremely uncertain whe- 
ther a retreat could be effected, thought propes^ 1 
to agree to terms of capitula<ion, which were at 
length signed by himself on the one part, and by 
Lieut. Col. Bishop on the other. 

Capt. Chapin makes the following statement : 

" The articles of capitulation were no sooner siga- 
ed, than they were violated. The Indians immedi- 
ately commenced their depredations, and plundered . 
the officers of their side arms. The soldiers too 5 
were stripped of every article of clothing to which the 
sa\ages took a fancy, such as hats, coats, shoes, &c." 

By the articles of capitulation, it was stipulat- 
ed that the wounded should be taken good cave ^ 
of, theoflicers be permitted to retain their side- 
arms, private property be respected, and the mi- 
litia immediately paroled. How characteristic 
of a savage and faithless enemy was this shamc«^ 
ful violation of honour and good faith. 

Major Chapin and his corps were detained un- 
der guard at the head of Lake Ontario, and no j 
attention paid to the articles of capitulation^ j 
vihiQh provided for their beius: parolled*. On ih^. I 

j 



HISTORY OF THE WAK. 103 

12tb inst. llj(*y were ordered down tlie lake to 
Kingston ; for which place they were embarked 
in two bouts, accompanied by a guard of 13 men, 
under the command of a lieutenant, 'riiirteeii 
of the men, with the lieutenant, were stationed 
in the forward boat witb Major Cbapin and the 
other officers, while the remaining two, (a ser- 
geant and one man,) took the direction of the other 
boat, which contained the so'diers. An agree- 
ment had been i ntered into, previous to their de- 
parture, of sizing the first opportunity that of- 
fered to regain tlieir liberty, which ihvy deter- 
mined ta eftect, or die in the attempt. When 
they were within about 12 miles of York, the 
boat which was filled with the prisoners, was 
rowed by them along side the other, under pre- 
tence of taking something to drink. 'J'he signal 
being given, they sprang upon the guard, who 
little expected such a manoeuvre, and in a short 
time disarmed them, and gained possession of 
the boats. They immediately altered their course 
from Kingston to Fort Niagara, and after row- 
ing hard for most of the night, and escaping with 
difficulty foom one of the enemy's schooners, 
which gave them chase, arrived in safety with 
their prisoners, at the American garrison. 

'V\^e following extract of a private letter from 
Fort George, made its appearance in a public 
newspaper, in the first week in August : 
' « A large boat arrived two days since from Little 
York, containing one lieutenant, and eight of his. Bri- 
tannic majesty'smilitia, captured by eight of our men, 
(three regulars and five militia,) taken at Beaver 
IDams. The lieutenant and his party were conducting 
them to Kingston — our men rose on the English, and 
brought them in here. Another boat, with 14 of 
Boerstler's men, has just come in from York, bring- 
inp. with them their centinelj and one other person>.^ 



104 HISTORY OF TOE WAS. 

It would be an unpardonable injusHee to (be 
brave Chapin not to give bis own report < f (bis 
heroic escape. Tbe following is a cop;v of bis 
letter to Gen. Dearborn, dated Fort George, 
Ju57e IStb, 1813. 

« Sir — I have just arrived from my confinem«int in 
Canada, with my men, without our parole. Our re- 
turn happened in the following manner : I received 
orders at Burlington heights on Monday morning, to 
go to Kingston^ — We set off accordingly under the 
care of a guard of 16 men. I had with me 28 nien* 
We all went on ver} quietly till four o*clock in the 
afternoon, at which time I gave a signal to attack the 
guard, which were stationed in the following order s 
A Serjeant and one man in the boat with my men, a 
lieutenant and 1 3 men in the boat with me and two 
officers. At the signal, my men ran along side of the 
boat I was in. Lieut. Showers ordered them to fall 
astern. I ordered them on board — at which time the 
officer attempted to draw his sword. I seized him by 
the neck and threw him on his back — two of his men 
drew their bayonets upon me — I immediately seized 
both bayonets at the same instartt, and threw them 
on the top of the officer, and kept all down together ; 
at the same moment, my men seized the guard, and 
wrested from them their arms — we then, having pos- 
session of their arms, changed our course, and arrived 
here this morning half after two o'clock, all safe.— 
We have brought two boats with us. 

I have the honour to be, very respectfully, yout- 
obedient servant, 

CYRENUS CHAPIN.** 

On the lltb Julj, 1813, 250 British regulars 
crossed the Niagara, below Black Rock, moved 
up towards that place, and marched far above 
the navy-yard, before any alarm was given. The 
detached militia, being surprised, retreated up 
the beaeh;, aud left tUe eoeiiaj ia quite possessioia* 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 105 

of the village, who proceeded to burn the sa lors* 
barracks and block- houses at the great battery ; 
they then proceeded to the batteries, dismounted 
and spiked three 12 pounders, and took away 
three field pieces, and one 12 pounder ; they took 
from the store-house a quantity of whiskey, salt, 
flour, pork, &c. which, with four citizens, they 
took across the river. At the first moment of 
the alarm. Gen. Porter left Black Rock for Buf- 
faloe ; at which place he assembled a body of 
volunteers, artd a few regulars, which with 100 
militia, and 23 Indians, formed a junction about 
a mile from the enemy. After being formed 
with the militia and Indians on the flanks, and 
the volunteers and regulars in the centre, they 
attacked, and the enemy, after a contest of twenty 
minutes, retreated in the utmost confusion, to the 
beach, embarked in several of our boats, and 
pulled for the opposite shore ; all the boats got 
off without injury, except the last, which suffered 
severely from our fire, and from appearance, 
nearly all the men in her were killed and wound- 
ed. The British lost eight killed on the field, 
besides those killed and wounded in the boats. — 
The Americans took 15 prisoners, who were sent 
to Batavia. On the American side, serjeant 
Hartman, Jonathan Thompson, and Joseph 
M^right, were killed, and five wounded, two of 
which were Indians. 

On ^he 7th July, the enemy attacked a guard 
about a mile and a half from Fort George, when 
Lieut. Eldridge, with 39 men, who volunteered 
under him, went to relieve them ; but, in his zeal 
to execute the order, he unexpectedly fnund 
liimseir surrounded in the wood by Indians, who 
opened a deadly fire upon his little corps, whi/h 
cut down 18 — a few fled, and the remainder wei« 



106 HISTORY OJP THE WAR. 

taken by the Indians, and stripped, scalped, and 
mangled in a horrid manner. Only nine of the 
corps escaped. 

During the night of the 4th Julj, a partv of 
the enemy, consisting, according to the British 
account, of 41 men, but known to exceed that 
number, passed over in boats from Chippewa to 
Fort Selilosser, which was guarded by only 12 
men, whom the enemy made prisoners, togelhes? 
with three of the citizens ; and also succeeded in 
©arrying off some flour, salt pork, whiskey, &.c, ; 
one brass six pounder, a few stands of arms, 
some hall cartridges, &c. with which they has- 
tily retired. The enemy being reinforced, re- 
turned on the succeeding evening to complete the 
plundering, which his hurry and fears compelled 
him to leave unfinished during his first visit, but 
observing a guard, he retreated without attempt- 
ing to land. 

A body of the enemy, consisting of about 200^ 
men, besides Indians, attacked the pickets at 
Fort (leorge, on the 17th July, but were brave- 
ly repulsed, after a contest of one hour. Al- 
though this affair was not otherwise of much 
consequence, it was in a degree so, inasmuch as 
it gave a full opportunity of testing the conduct- 
of the AmeFioan officers engaged ; as it was 
fought in detachments. Col. Scott had command 
of the troops on this occasion. Gen. Bojd, in 
his official report, highly extolled the activity 
a' d bravery of those engaged, particularly Ma- 
jors Cummins, and Armstrong ; Captains Yaii- 
deursen, Madison, Birdsall. and Tovison. 

A declaration of war, of which the following 
js a copy, was issued by the Six Nations of New- 
¥f>i k Indians, immediately after the invasJoii Qf 
%e state by the British. 



BlSTOBT OF T>TE W4n. 167 

t)E(:LAR\TION OF WAR, 

BY THE SIX NATIONS OF INDIANS. 

We, the Chiefs and Councillors of the Six Na- 
tions of Indians, residing in the state of New-York, 
do hereby proclaim to all the War Chiefs aiid War- 
riors of the Six iNations, that >^AR is declared on 
our part, agdiisl the Provinces or Upper and Lower 
Canada. 

i'herefore, we do hereby command and advise all 
the War Chiefs to call orth immediately the War- 
riors under them, an i put th m in motion, :o protect 
their rights and liberties, which our brethren, the 
Aiuericans, are now defending. 

(Signed*) Bij the Grand Counciilors, 

M^ijoi' (ieneral Dearborn had been for some 
lime in a state of ill heaKh. On the \h{\\ July 
he was superced* d i^i the conuriand of the army 
on the Niagara Fi-o:;tier ; and was ?ueee«*ded by 
Gen. Bojd, the set ond in eo nmand. On this 
O.'ciJsion the general received a ver^ affectionate 
address from j^eneral 3o,>d, and the other oMcers 
serving at Po -t George. As, however, the cause 
ttf the g'-neral's dismissal was the ohjeet of va- 
rious conjecture, the following extrai-t from the 
^rneral order, issued on the occasion, will give 
to the reader all the satisfacfto]i ia our power to 
communicate. 

" The major-general commanding, having receiv* 
ed orders from the secretary of war, to retire from 
the command of the army until his health shall be re- 
C'-t.ablishpd. and until further orders — the command 
devolves on Brigadier General Boyd. Were the 
mtijor-general permitted to consult h's own feelings, 
no consideration could induce him to leave the armjr 
«t this important crisi- ; but the first duty of a soldier 
i* to obey his superiors." 

About the 15th or Ifith of July, two private 
larmed boats, each carrying a six or 8 pouadcr, 



leS HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

and 50 men, sailed from Saeket's Harbour, to 
cruise in the St. Lawrence.' On Monday, the 
itib, \hc.y fell in with a gun-boat, caiT^ing a 
6 pound carronade, convoking 15 of the enen».>'s 
batteaux. captured them wilhout the loss of a 
man, and brought them into Cranberry Creek, 
about 49 miles ahove Ogdensburgh. The bat- 
teiHix hiid on hoard 230 barrels of pork, 300 bags 
of pilot Odd, ammunition, ^c. bound from Mon- 
lr^*al to Kingston. On Tuesday morning, 3 of the 
enr.ny's guu-boats, with 250 soldiers from Pres- 
feot, arrived ofTihe creek, and landed their men, 
Tiie privuteersmen had h rdly time to construct 
a breast-w«;rk oT their bags of pilot breadi be- 
fore they were attacked by 200 of the enemy ; 
and strange to teil, after an obstinate engage- 
ment, in wliieh from 40 to 60 of the enemy were 
killed, his fo ce retreated precipitately to their 
boats, except 15, who took to the woods, and 
were pursued, i'he American loss was trifling, 
though it is not specified. Sixty-seven British 
prisoners, captured in the batteaux and gun-boat, 
arrived at \\aterk>wn on Tuesday evening. 

The employment of luoians by the enemy 
rendered it absolutely necessary to attach the 
friendU Indians to the army of the U. States. 
On this occasion there was an oppoitunity of 
proving that the savage can abstain from those 
b *»'barous acts, which the enenjy naist have en- 
couraged, or cci ainly did not attempt to pre- 
vent. 

A body of volunteers and Indians, under com- 
mand of Major Chapin, had a skirmish viih the 
enemy, near Fort George, on the 17th August, 
in which the latter was defeated, ai<d complete- 
ly routed. The American Indians captured i2 
t)f the British Indians, and four whites. The 



HISTORY or THE WAR. 109 

Indians^ in a council held with them previous to 
this affair, covenanted not to scalp or murder. 
Their bravery in battle was as conspicuous as 
their humanity to the vanquished ; no insult was 
offered even to the dead. 

At day break on the 2ith August, the enemy, 
with his whole force, commanded by Sir George 
Prevost, drove in all the American pickets at 
Fort George, A skirmish ensued in the vil- 
lage, with little effect, when the enemy retired, 
leaving 15 of his men dead on the field, and a 
few prisoners, including a captain of the 49th. 
The Americans lost two men killed, and a few 
wounded. 

The pain of being compelled to relate the bar- 
barity of a faithless enemy, on almost every oc- 
casion where he had power, is pleasingly miti- 
gated by the contrast which the acts of Ameri- 
can soldiers and seamen produce. Among the 
many, too numerous for reculiection or detail, 
the following will be read with satisfaction : 

On the 21st September, a company of volun- 
teers, principally of tlie village of Buffaloe, era- 
barked for Sugar Loaf, (about 14 miles from 
Fort Erie.) under command of Major Chapin, 
with an intenf ion to surprise and capture a Bri- 
tish guard, commanded by Col. Wctrren. The 
Colonel had anlicijrated the attack, and had 
withdrawn himself and guard from the^ lake 
some miles, into the interio^r Ov the country.— 
The party took several prisoners, who were im- 
mediately paroled ; and 34 barrels of flour, and 
a bale of blankets, all of which was the proper- 
ty of government. There were several hundred 
barrels of flour at the mills, but there being no 
proof of its being publie properfy, it was not ta- 
keo. The coaduci of Major Chapiu, in all hh 



Hi) llisTOHY Oi^ THE WAli. 

IneursioBs iiiio the eueiny's territory, bas beeii 
strictly honourable ; carefully distinguishing be- 
tween friends and enemies ; justly discriminating 
between public and private property. 

The American fleet, under command of Com* 
modorc Chauncey, went out of the inner har- 
bour of Sacket's Harhour, the I9th July, ISlSj 
and sailed soon afterward. The fleet stretched 
over for the enemy's shore, and from thence 
stood up the lake, and arrived oif Niagara, in 
the evening of the 27th July. Com. Chauncey 
being informed that the enemy had a consider- 
able deposit of provisions and stores at Burling- 
ton-bay, had determined to attempt their destruc- 
tion. Having taken on board 250 infantry, the 
fleet proceeded to the head of the lake, hut ow- 
ing to light winds and calms, did not arrive to 
an anchorage before the evening of the 29th — 
Two parties were sent on shore, who took some 
of the inhabitants, from whom they learned^ 
that the enemy was lately reinforced, and that 
be had from 600 to 800 regulars. The troops 
were, however, landed the next morning, toge- 
ther with some marines and sailors ; but, on re- 
eonnoitering the enemy's position, he was found 
posted upon a pininsula of high ground, strong- 
ly intrenched, and his camp defended by ahout 
S pieces of cannon> It was judged inexpedient 
to attack him with a force scarcely half his 
numbers, and without artillery. 'I'he men 
were re-embarked in the course of the after- 
noon ; and the fleet weighed in the evening, 
and stood for York, in the harbjur of which 
place it anchored about 4 o'clock, P. M. On 
the 31st, the schooners sailed i^Mo the upper 
harbour; the marines and soldiers, under tlie 
eomardad of Colonel Scott, landed without op- 



HISTORY OF THE WAS. 114 

poshion, (upwards of 400 men of the enemy hav- 
ing left York foi* the head of tlie lake, two days 
previous to the disembarkation.) Several hun- 
dred barrels of flour and provisions were found 
in the public store-house ; also five pieces of can- 
non, 11 boats, and a quantity of shot, shells, and 
other stores ; all of which were either destroyed 
or taken away — a few piisoners were taken. 
The troops were re-embarked on the 1st August, 
having previously burned the barracks, and jmb- 
lic store houses — the expedition arrived at Ni- 
agara on the Sd. 

On the 7th August, at day-light, Commodore 
Chauneey discovered the enemy, consisting of 
two ships, two brigs, and two large schooners, on 
Lake Ontario. He immediately weiglied anchor, 
and manoeuvred to gain tha wind. Both fleets 
continued to mancEuvre for several hours, at a 
distance from each other of about five or sis 
miles. Commodore Cliauneey endeavouring in vaia 
to bring the enemy to action. Toward night it 
became quite calm, during which time the Com- 
modore endeavoured to reach the enemy by 
sweeps, but without success. Wind, during the 
night was very squally. At day-light, on the 
8th, discovered that two of the sehooners, the 
Hamilton and Scourge, mounting together 10 
guns, had foundered, and every soul on board 
them, except 16, perished. This accident gave 
the enemy a decided advantage ; yet the Commo- 
dore offered him battle, which was declined.— 
In the afternoon the wind fell away, and the 
Commodore again endeavoured to reach the ene- 
my by means of his sweeps, but was again un- 
successful. During the afternoon, tlie enemy, 
taking advantage of a wind which sprang up, 
and brought him to windward, endeavoured to 



112 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

eiit off tlie American schooner, but they were 
able to come into their station before he could 
reach them. Night coming on, and the weather, 
as on the former night, squally, the Commo- 
dore, to guard against further accident, as well 
as to afford some rest to his men, Avho had been 
40 hours at quarters, ran in towards Niagara, 
and anchored outside the bar. Here he received 
on board, and distributed in different vessels, 150 
men, to aid in boarding, in case he could close 
with the enemy. 

Soon after day-light on the 9th, he discovered 
the enemy, weighed anchor, and stood after him. 
The winds were light and variable, and before 
noon quite calm ; at 5 P. M. the wind sprang up, 
pursued the probable course of the enemy during 
the night. In the morning of the 10th, discov- 
ered the enemy and gave him chase ; before the 
wind changed, brought the enemy to windward, 
by which he was again enabled to avoid an ac- 
tion. Both fleets continued manceuvring until 
11, when a firing commenced between both fleets. 
The wind favoured the enemy, aud enabled him 
to effect one purpose of all his long and cowardly 
manceuvring, by separating two vessels from 
the remainder of the squadron, and capturing 
the Growler and Julia. 

On the morning of the 11th, the Commodore 
got sight of the enemy, but he still refused bat- 
tle, notwithstanding his increased advantage, by 
the capture of two vessels, and a wind favourable 
to him. A gale coming on. Commodore Chaun- 
cey returned to Sacket's Harbour, to obtain pro- 
visions, of which his ships was nearly desti- 
tute. 

On the 7th September, the enemy's squadron, 
ander command of Captain Yeo, was discovered 



HISTOKY or THE WAR. 11$ 

close in with the Niagara river. Commodore 
Chauncey's fleet immediately weighed anchor, 
and prepared for action. The enemy sailed to 
the northward ; the Commodore in pursuit. — 
The pursuit was continued all round the lake, 
until the morning of the 12th, when the enemy 
succeeded in getting into Amherst-hay. During 
the chase, there w as a running fight off Genes- 
see river, which continued three and a half hours; 
the enemy suffered much ^ the Americans did 
not loose a man. 

Commodore Chauncey continued to hlockade 
the enemy in Amherst-hay, until the 17lii 8ep- 
temher, when a heavy wind from the westward 
favoured his escape into Kingston ; and the Ame- 
rican fleet returned to Sachet's Harbour. Af- 
ter a. few hours deiav at Sachet's Harbour, Com- 
*i 

modoi'e Chauncey sailed again for Niagara, 
wlierc he arrived on the 24th. On the lOtli he 
saw the enemy off the False Ducks, but took no 
notice of him, in hope that he might follow the 
Commodore up the lake. 

On the 26th September, Commodore Chaun- 
cey learned that the eneujy's fleet was in York- 
bay ; he prepared, to weigh, but was prevented 
from getting out of the river before the evening 
of the 27th. On the 28th the enemy was dis- 
covered under way in York bay. The Ameri- 
cans formed a line for battle, and run down for 
the enemy's centre. The enemy endeavoured to 
avoid an action. At 10 minutes past 12, the 
enemy, in order to save his two rear vessels, 
was compelled to tack in succession, beginning 
at his van, when he hoisted his colours, and com- 
menced a fire on Commodore Chauncey's fiagr 
ship, the General Pike, for the purpose of eo- 
I'ei'ing his rear, and attacking the AmericaH» 



114 HISTORT OF THE WAll, 

rear as he passed to leeward. By a happy nria- 
noeuvre, Commodore Chaiineey defeated t bis part 
of the adversary's plan, when the latter bore 
away. The American ships, however, closed so 
near as to bring their guns to bear ; and in 20 
minutes, the main and mizen top- masts, and 
main-yard of the Wolf were shot away. This 
ship immediately put before the wind, and set all 
sail upon his main-n^ast ; and, by keeping dead 
before the wind, was enabled to escape. The 
chase was continued until near 3 P. M. during 
■which time the Commodore's ship kept within 
point blank shot of the eneniy^ and sustained the 
whole of his fire, during the chase. 

At 15 minutes past three, the Commodore was 
obliged to give up the chase : his ship was mak- 
ing water so fast, that it required all his pumps 
to keep her clear ; and others of his vessels were 
much damaged. The enemy's fleet was within 
six miles of the head of the lake, where, owing 
to the stiffness of the gale, both fleets might go 
ashore at a place in possession of the enemy. — 
The Commodore, therefore, thought proper to 
proceed to Niagara. The General Pike suffer- 
ed a considerable loss of men, among whom 
were 22 killed or wounded, by the bursting of a 
gun. On the 1st October, the Commodore sail- 
ed again from Niagara, taking under convoy se- 
yeral boats, with troops for Sacket's Harbour, 
Having convoyed these as ftir as it was deemed 
necessary for their safety, he left them to pro- 
ceed coastwise, and he bent his course in search 
of the enemy. 

On the 2d October, at 10 A. M. the enemy 
was discovered steering a course for Niagara. 
Commodore Chauncey ordered a chase — the en-^ 
(gmy avoided an engagement as usual; and was 



nisrORY OJf THE WAR. 115 

far aliead b^ sun-down. On the morning* of (he 
3(J, the eneiiiv was discovered ar anchor close in 
with the land, between Twelve and Twentj mile 
creeks, but made sail, on discovering ihe Ameri- 
can fleet. The ehase eontinued all day : the en- 
emy eould barely be made out from the mast- 
head by sun-down. At day lig!jt, on the 4th, 
he could not be seen. The Commodore, sus- 
pecting that the enemy, availing himself of a 
very dark night, liad shaped liis course for 

Kingston, directed his com-se for the Ducks 

At o P. M. the Commodore discovered 7 sail 
near the False D icks, gave chase, and at 4 
o'clock, discovered tiiem lo be sloops and schoon- 
ers. At 6 P. M. gained considerably on them, 
M'hich the enemy perceiving, he took the men 
out of a slow sailing gun-boat, and then burned 
her to prevent lier capture. At sun-down, when 
opposite the Real Ducks, the Elarailton, (late 
Growler,) Confiance, (late Julia.) and Mary- 
Anne, struck their colours, and were taken pos- 
session of. The Drummor»d soon after struck 
to the Sylph ; and on the follovviiig morning, the 
Sylph took possession of the Lady Goree. But 
one of the enemj^'s ve-seis, a small schooner, es- 
caped, and she owed her safety to the darkness 
of the night. 

Commodore Chauncey proceeded to Sacket's 
Harbour with his prizes. The captured vessels 
mounted from one to three guns each, and were 
returning with troops from the head of the lake. 
The following are the number and description 
of troops of the enemy made prisoners on this 
occasion, viz. 1 major, 1 captain, 3 subalterns, 
1 surgeon, 10 sergeants, 4 drummers, 202 rank 
and tile, of De Wattevile's regiment ; 1 lieu- 
tenant, 2 master's mates, 35 seamen and ma^ 



116 HISTORY OF THE WAB. 

rines of the royal navj ; and four sailing-masterg 
of the provincial navy. The enemy's squadron 
Mas seen going into Kingston the same evening. 

It was cause of much surprise that the Bri- 
tish were permitted to obiain an ascendancy as 
to actual force on the lakes Charaplain, Ontario, 
and Erie ; if they did not make all the use of 
their numerical superiority which they ought to 
have made, it must remain for theinselves to 
explijn. Commodore Yeo was brave, and an 
experienced officer. His apparently cowardly 
conduct on Lake Ontario, must have been the 
result of his private instructions. It must be 
confessed, that this surmise is ill supported when 
contrasted with the policy of the British com^ 
manders on lakes Champlain and Erie, Oa 
both these lakes, the enemy reckoned on success, 
as what must certainly result from his superior 
tactics, supported by a superior force. He did 
tiy his strength and talents against the Yan- 
kees, and with his ships and invincibility, hand- 
ed over to the Yankees, all the laurels which 
ivere gleaned from every other naval power.— 
The Araeriean war, on the sea and the lakes, has 
disgraced, degraded, and humbled the proud 
mistress of the deep, and raised the aspiring 
and noble minded American to a height, which 
every nation in the world, except England, has 
witnessed with a pleasure of enthusiasm, that 
speaks a language to the Briton, not equivocal, 
but galling, dreadtul, ominous. 

For some time, the enemy assumed, and in 
fact, held the command of Lake Erie. His 
fleet was commanded by an officer of experience, 
who tauntingly boasted of his superiority.— 
Commodore Oliver H. Perry was appointed to 
lake command of the American fleet. The foi? 



HISTORY 0¥ THE WATl. 117 

lowinj^ extract of a letter from him to the secre- 
tary of (he navy, was clatcrl 4th August, and aa- 
nounced his intention of meeting tlie enemy. 

<' T have great pleasure in informing you, that X 
have succeeded in getting over the bar, the U S. 
"vessels, the Lawrence, Niagara, Caledonia, Ari^I, 
Scorpion, Somers, Tigress, and Porcupine. The 
enemy have been in sight all day, and are now about 
four leagues from us. We shall sail in pursuit of 
them at three lo-morrow morniL'g.'* 

The following official letters from the Com- 
modore, are proofs of the modesty, as the result 
of the engagement was, of the undaunted hero* 
ism and naval skill of this great commander. 
Copy of a letter from Commodore Perry to the Secm 
retary of the J^avy, 

U. S. brig Niagara, off the Western 
Sisters, Head of Lake Erie, Septv 
10, 1813, 4 P. M. 
Sir, — It has pleased the Almighty to give to the 
arms of the United States, a signal victory over their 
enemies on this lake. The British squadron, con- 
sisting of two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one 
sloop, have this moment surrendered to the force 
under my command, after a sharp conflict. I have^ 
the honour to be, &c. 

O. H. PERRY, 
Hon. W. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. 

Qofiy oj a letter from Com. Perry to the Secretar'tJ 

of the JVavy. 

U. S. schooner, Ariel, Put-in-Bay, 13th 
Sept. 1813. 
Sir, — In my last I informed you that we had cap- 
tured the enemy's fleet on this lake. I have now 
the honour to give you the most important particulars 
of the action. On the morning of the lOthinst. at 
sun-rise they were discovered from Put-in-Bayj 



118 HISTORY OV THE WAR. 

when I lay at anchor with the squadron under m}r 
command. We got under way, the wind light at S, 
\V. and stood ior them. At a. m. the wind haul- 
ed to S. E and brought us to windward ; formed 
the line and bore up. At 15 minutes betbn 12, the 
enemy commenced firing ; at five minutes before 12, 
the action commenced on our part. Finding thtir 
fire very destructive, owing to their long guns, and 
its being mostly directed at the Lawrence, 1 made 
sail, and directed the other vessels to follow, f;>r 
the purpose of closing with the enemy. Every 
brace and bowline being soon shot avvay, slie became 
unmanageable, notwithstanding; the great exertions 
of the sailing-master. In this situation she sustain- 
ed the action upwards of two houis, within cannister 
distance, until every gun was rendered useless, and 
the greater part of her crew either killed or wound- 
ed. Finding she could no longer annoy the enemy, 
I left her in charge of Lieut YarnelK who, f was 
convinced from ihe bravery already displayed by 
him, would do what would comport with the honour 
of the flag. At half past two, the wind springing up^ 
Capt. Elliot was enabled ^o bring his vessel, the M- 
agara, gallantly into close action ; 1 immediately 
went on board of her, wJien he anticipat; d my wish, 
by volunteering to bring the schooners, which had 
been kept astern by the lightness of the wind, into 
close action. It was with unspeakable pain, that I 
saw, soon after 1 got on board the Niagara, the flag 
of the Lawrence come down, although I was per- 
fectly sensible, that she had been defended to Ihe 
last, and that to have continued to make a show of 
resistance, would have been a wanton sacrifice of 
the remains of her brave crew. But the enemy 
was not able to take possession of her, and circumstan- 
ces soon permitted her flag again to be hoisted. At 
45 minutes past two, the signal was made for « close 
action." The Niagara being very little injured, I 
determined to pass through the enemy's line, bore 
up and passed ahead of their two ships and a brig ; 



HISTORY OV THE WAR, 119 

giving a raking fire to them from the starboard guns, 
md to a large schooner and sloop, from the larboard 
side, at half pistol-shot distance. The smaller ves- 
sels at this time, having got within grape and cannis- 
:er distance, under the direction of Capt. Elliot, and 
keeping up a well directed fire, the two ships, a brig, 
md a schooner surrendered ; a schooner and sloop 
making a vain attempt to escape. 

Mx tract of a letter from Commodore Perry, 

U. S. schooner Ariel, Put-in-Bay? IStli 
September, 1813. 

" I also beg your instructions respecting the 
mounded. I am satisfied, Sir, that whatever steps I 
night take, governed by humanity, would meet your 
ipprobation. Under this impression, I have taken 
jpon myself to promise Capt. Barclay, who is very 
iangeroiisly wounded, that he shall be landed as near 
L.ake Ontario as possible, and I had no doubt yon 
,vould allow me to parole him." 

The follow itij; is the statement of the respect* 
ive forces of the contending fleets. 

Statement of the force of the British squadron. 
Ship Detroit, 19 guns — 1 on pivot, and 

2 howitzers. 
Ship Queen Charlotte, 17 do. I do. 
Schr. Lady Prevost, j 3 do. 1 do. 
Brig Hunicr, 10 do. 

Sloop Little Belt, 3 do. 

Schr. Chippewa, 1 do. and two swivels. 

63 guns. 
JVotc — The Detroit was a new ship, very sirongly 
built, and mounted long 24*s, 18*s, and 1'2's. 
Statement of the force of the Unit-d States* squadron* 
Brig Lawrence, 20 guns. 

JSiagara, 20 do. , 

Caledonia, 3 do. 



120 HISTORY or THE WAK. 

Schr. Ariel, 4 do« I burst early in the 

action.) 

Scorpion, 2 do. 

Somers, 2 do. and 2 swivels. 

Sloop Trippe, 1 do. 

Schr. Tigress, 1 do. 

Porcupine, \ do. 

54 
The loss, on the part of the Americans, was ^s 
follows : 

Killed. Wounded. Missingi 



Lawrence, 


32 


61 


8^ 


ISJiagai-a, 


2 


25 


27 


Caledonia, 




3 


3 


Somers, 




2 


2 


Ariel, 


2 


3 


4 


Trippe, 




2 


2 


Scorpion, 


2 




2 



27 96 123 

Two days previous to the action, 57 men unfit for 
duty in the small vessels* 

While giving the Commodore's own account 
of this action, we cannot omit his laconic letter 
to General Harrison. It has heen called, by a 
writer, <* Cesarean brevity." Csesar said '« ve- 
Bi, vidi, vici," but Perry did not conquer mere- 
ly by showing himself to an enemy, who, reckon- 
ing on his own known superiority of force, and 
presumed superiority in tactics, calculated, with 
great certainty, on conquering the Yankees. — 
The battle was hard fought, and the loss on 
both sides very great- Perry might have said, 
« venivici," or as he would translate the words 
of the Roman genera! — << we met the enemy, and 
they are ours ^" but the addition of f* vidi" might 



HISTORY OP THE WAK. 12i 

favour the opinion that he won the battle from 
the timidity or inactivity of the enemy, which 
would be depriving the brave Perry and his 
crew of more than half their merit. 

« U. S. brig Niagara, off the Western 
Sister, head of Lake Erie, Sept. lOth, 
1813, 4 P. M 

<< Dear General — We have met the enemy — and 
they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner, 
and cue sloop. Yours, with great respect and es- 
teem, O. H. PERRY." 

Hitherto we have seen the enemy beaten ship 
to ship, but now we were to witness them fleet 
to fleet ; and a more decisive or splendid victo- 
ry was never achieved. <* From the best infor- 
mation," says the heroic Perry in a letter to 
General Flarrison, " we have more prisoners than 
we have men on hoard our vessels." 

Compared with this, all former naval victo- 
ries lose their splendour ; even the great Nel- 
son, were he alive, must rank below Perry. — 
Nelson never captured an entire fleet ; Perry 
has, and that with a fleet inferior in size, weight 
of metal, and number of men. 

The British fleet was commanded by Cora. 
Barclay, an officer of great merit, and much loved 
by those under his command. At a public din- 
ner given to this officer at Terrebone, in Canada^ 
lie gave a toast, which, while it proves the can- 
dour of the Commodore who gave it, is an indis- 
putable proof of the merit of him whose name 
was the subject of it. The toast was in the fol- 
lowing words ; " Commodore Perry, the gallant 
and generous enemy." 

Soon after the victory on Lake Erie, the Pre- 
sident of the United States appointed Oliver IE 
^erry, to the rank of Captain in the navy. 



122 HISTOKY OF THE TViR. 

The Commodore was presented with the free^ 
dom of the cities of New- York and Albany. 

The thanks of Congress were voted to the 
Commodore^ his officers, seamen and marines | 
and medals was presented to him and his offi- 
cers* 

The thanks of the Senate of Pennsylvania^ 
"with medals, were also voted to the Conimodore^ 
and those brave men who served under him. 

Among the many testimonials of the grati- 
tude of his fellow citizens, too numerous u> de- 
tail, the following particulars of a present frt)m 
the citizens of Boston, deserves to be enumerat- 
ed, viz. 

" A Salver, of an oblong square shape, 23 inches 
lonej, by 16 i-2 wide, with a brigjht ij^adroon edge. 

Two Ice Pailr,, or Decanter Coolers, barrel shape, 
hooped round with a blight gadroon edge at top and 
bottom. 

Two Pitchers, of a large size, Chinese shape, with 
tops, and bright gadroons at top and bottom. 

Two dozen Tumblers, plain bar. el shape, with ga- 
droons at bottom. 

Wine Glass Coolers, each to hold a dozen glasses, 
oblong square shape, standing on feet, with balls or- 
namented with a bright gadroon at bottom, and nar-. 
row rim at top, impressed with an oak le f 

A Coffee Pot Tea Pot, Sugar Basin Cream Eiv 
er, Tea Cady, and Slofi Boivl — all of oblong shapes, 
standing on feet, with balls at the corners, ornament- 
ed with deep borders, impressed with roaes and 
leaves, and with bright gadroons at top and bottom. 

The large pieces bear the following inscription : 

SEPTEMBER 10, 1813, 

Signalized our Jirst triumph in squadron-~^A vjrp 

nufierior Britifth force on Lake Erie^ was 

entirely subdued bv 

COM. O. H. PERRY; 



HISTORY OP THE WAH. 12Sr 

Whose gallantry in action is equalled only by his 

humanity in victory, 

PRESENTED 

In honour of the Victor^ by the CITIZEJ^S OF 

BOSTOJ^r 

The capture of the British fleet removed the 
chief object of the capture of Maiden ; and 
General Harrison made dispositions to avail 
himself of it. Boats were collected, and troops 
assembled. Governor Shelby arrived on the 17th 
September, at the mouth of Portage river, with 
about 4000 volunteers. Gen. M'Arthur joined 
the army in three days after with his brigade 
from Fort Meigs. On the 21 st, the embarkation 
of troops commenced. Put in-bay Island was the 
place of rendezvous. Commodore Perry's fleet, 
including the captured vessels, were engaged in 
protecting and assisting the men and boats, as 
well as in conve;ving stores, baggage, &c. The 
army again embarked on board the fleet and 
boats at Put-in bay, on the 25th, and arrived the 
same evening at the Eastern Sister, a small is- 
land about sixteen miles from Maiden. Here 
the expedition was detained some time by bad 
weather, during which time, a reconnoisance of 
the enemy's coast wr»s made by Gen. Harrison, 
and Com. Perry ; a dispatch Mas also sent to 
apprize Col. Johnson of their movements, who, 
with his mounted rangers, was to co-operate in 
the reduction of Maiden. 

On the 27th, the array embarked at the Eas 
tern Sister, and landed near Maiden, in excellent 
order. The enemy having previously evacuated 
the town, it was entered by the Americans with- 
out opposition. 

It has been remarked in the early part of this 
history, that, previous to the surrender of De^ 



124» HISTOUT or THE WAR. 

Iroit to the cBcmy, the Indians, with the es- 
ueplion of a few who had johied the enemy, re- 
mained inactive, Matching, with their usual sa- 
gacity, until they could discover on what side 
\ictorY was likely to perch. True to their own 
insidious and cowardly policy, they went over to 
the victorious Britons; hut no sooner was the 
effect of treason wiped off hy the courage of pa- 
triots, than the savage withdrew from his em*^ 
ployers, and sought peace from those, against ; 
whom he had so long raised the tomahawk.— 
By an official letter, written by Gen. M'Arthur^ 
to the secretary of war, and dated at Detroit^ 
subsequent to the retreat of the British, it ap- 
pears that five nations of Indians, viz. the Otta- 
was, Chippewas, Pattewattemies, Miamies, and : 
Kickapoos, have sued for peace. By an agree- ^ 
meut entered into between them and Gen. JVI'Ar- 
thur, on the part of the United States, "they 
have agreed to take hold of the same tomahawk 
with us, (the people of the United States.) and ; 
4o strike all who are, or may be, enemies to the 
United States, whether British or Indians." 

After the evacuation of Maiden by the enemy. 
Gen. Harrison pursued the British, although he 
(Harrison,) had very few Lorses, *« scarcely a 
sulficicncy to mount the general officers," whilst 
the retreating enemy had upwards of 1000 
horses. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, the 
Americans pursued their object with so much 
diligence, that they came up with the enemy. 
The force destined for this service, consisted of 
about 140 regulars, Johnson's mounted regiment, 
(Keatuckians,) three companies of Col. Ball's 
legion, and such of Governor Shelby's volunteers 
as were fit for a rapid march ; the whole a- 
niounting to about 3^.^00 men. During the pur- 



HISTORY OF TtIB WAR. 125 

suit, which was attended with severe privations, 
(the whole army suhsistingfor several days upon 
fresh beef, without bread or salt, and the infan- 
try being without tents ;) a considerable quan- 
tity of arms were taken, being deserted by the 
enemy, and much more destroyed ; tliese con- 
sisted chiefly of muskets taken, or rather given 
to them by the capitulation of Detroit. Two 2'b 
pounders, with their carriages, besides a large 
qua^itity of balls and shells, and two gun boats, 
and several batteaux, loaded with provisions and 
ammunition, also fell into the hands of General 
Harrison. The destruction of these were at- 
tempted by the retreating enemy, but were saved 
by the activity of the pursuers. Near a place 
called McGregor's Mills, on one of the branches 
of the river rhames, the Indians were placed ia 
great numbers, to dispute the passage of the riv- 
er. Upon the arrival of the American advanced 
guard, a heavy fire was commenced on it by the 
Indians, on the opposite side of the river. Gen. 
Harrison, expecting the attack would be support- 
ed by the whole force of the enemy, drew up his 
entire army in order of battle, and brought up 
two six pounders to cover a party which was or- 
dered to repair a bridge, partially der troyed by 
the Indians. The Indians, as usual, when not 
early successful, fled after suffering a considera- 
ble loss. The American loss was two killed, and 
three or four wounded.. 

On the 5th October, General Harrison came 
up with the enemy ; the result cannot be given 
more satisfactorily than will be found in the 
following extract from his letter to the secretary 
i of war. 

** From the place where our army was last halted,. 
I to the Moravian towns, a distance of about three 
J. 2 



1S6 HISTORT or THE WAK. 

and half miles, the road passes through a beech 
forest, without any clearing, and for the first two 
miles, near to the bank of the river. At from two 
lo thvee hundred yards from the river, a swamp ex- 
tends parallel to it throughout the whole distance. 
The intermediate ground is dry, and although the 
trees are tolerably thick it is in many places clear 
of underbrush. Across this strip of land, its left 
appaycd upon the river, supported by artillery plac- 
ed in the wood, their right in the swahip, covered by 
the whole of their Indian force, the British troops 
were drawn up. 

*' The troops at my disposal consisted of about 1 20 
regulars, of the 27th regiment, five brigades of Ken- 
tucky Volunteer militia infantry, under his excclleQ- 
cy Governor Shelby, averaging less tiian five hun- 
dred men, and Col. Johnson*s regiment of mounted j 
infantry, making in the whole an aggregate some- ' 
thin above 3000. Ko disposition of an army op- 
posed to an Indian force, can be safe, unless it is se- 
cured on the flanks, and in the rear. I had, there- 
fore, no difficulty in arranging the infantry conforma- ^ 
bly to my general order of battle. Gen. Trotter's , 
brigade of 500 men, formed the front line, his right ^ 
vpon the road, and his left upon the swamp. Gen. • 
King's brigade, as a second line, 150 yards in the 
,rear of Trotter's and Chiles's brigade, as a corps of 
reserve, in the rear of it. These three brigades ; 
formed the command of Maj. Gen. Henry ; the whole 
of Gen. Desha's division, consisting of two brigades, 
were formed en potencc upon the left of Trotter. 

" While I was engaged in forming the infantry, I ■ 
had directed Col. Johnson's regiment, which was 
still in front to be formed in two lines opposite to 
the enemy, and, upon the advance of the infantry, 
to take ground to the left, and forming upon that 
Hank, to endeavour to turn the right of the Indians. 
A moment's reflection, however, convinced me, that 
from the thickness of the woods, and swampiness of 
ihc ground, they would be unable to do any thing on 



HISTORY 0¥ THE WAR. 127 

horseback, and there was no time to dismount them 
and place their horses in security ; I, therefore, de- 
termined to refuse my left to the Indians, and to 
break the British lines at once by a charge of the 
mounted infmtry ? the measure was not sanctioned 
by any thing that I had seen or heard of, but I was 
fully convinced, that it would succeed. The Ame- 
rican backwoodsmen ride better in the woods than 
any other people. A musket or ride is no impedi- 
ment to them, being accustomed lo carry them on 
horseback from their earliest youth. I was per- 
suaded, too, that the enemy would be quite unpre- 
pared for the shock, and that they could not resist 
it. Conformably to this idea, 1 directed the regi- 
ment to be drawn up in close column, with its right 
at the distance of fifty yards from the road, (that it 
might be, in some measure, protected by the trees 
from the artillery,) its left upon the swamp, and to 
charge at full speed as soon as the enemy delivered 
their fire. The few regular troops of the 27th re- 
giment, under their colonel, (Paul) occupied, in co- 
lum of sections of four, the small space between 
the road and the river, for the purpose of seizing 
the enemy's artillery ; and some ten or twelve friend- 
ly Indians were directed to move under the bank. 
The crotchet formed by the front line and General 
Desha's divii^ion was an important point. At that 
place, the venerable governor of Kentucky was post- 
ed, who, at the age of sixty-six, preserves all the vi- 
gor of youth, the ardent zeal which distinguished 
liim in the revolutionary war, and the undaunted bra- 
very which he manifested at King's Mountain. With 
my aids-de-camp, the acting assistant adj. general, 
Capt. Butler, my gallant friend Com. Perry, who 
did me the honour to serve as my volunteer aid-de- 
carnp, and Brig. Gen. Cass, who having no command, 
tendered me his assistance, I placed myself at the 
liead of the front line of infantry, to direct the move- 
ments of the cavalry, and give them the necessary- 
support. The army had moved on in this order but 



12S HISTORY or THE WAU. 

a short distance, when the mounted men received the 
fire of the British line, and were ordered to charge ; 
the horses in the front of the column rpcoiled Trora 
the fire ; another was given by th.. enemy, and our 
column, at lengih, getting in motion, broke through 
the enemy wiJi irresistible force. In one minute? 
the contest in front was over ; the British offirers, 
seeing no hopes of reducing their disordered ranks 
to order, and our mounted men wheeling upon them, 
and pouring in a destructive fire, immediately sur- 
rendered. It is certain that three only of our troops 
were wounded in this charge. Upon the left, how- 
ever, the contest was more severe vvith the Indians. 
Colonel Johnson, who commanded on that flank of 
his regiment, received a most galling fire from them, 
which was returned with great effect The Indiansj^ 
still further to the right advanced, and fell in with 
our front line of infantry, near its junction with Des- 
ha's division, and, for a moment made an impression 
on it. His excellency Governor Shelby, however, 
brought up a regiment to its support-, and the enemy, 
receiving a severe fire in front, and a part of- John- 
son's reojiment having gained their rear, retreated 
with precipitation.'* 

The active Indian Chief Tecumseh, after 
evincing great resolution, and continuing to fight 
although being badl^ wounded, fell, while di- 
i*ecting a deadly aim at Col. Johnson. The in- 
-vincible courage of the colonel, and bis great 
presence of nsind, saved his own valuable life, 
and put an end to that of an irieeoncileable foe. 
"While the sanguinary Tecumseh was aiming at 
the colonel, the latter, although wounded in se- 
veral parts, and niueh exhausted, discharged his 
pistol with great coolness, and brought the fe- 
rocious savage to the ei^rth, where he was found 
dead. The American loss amounted to seven kill- 
ed and %% \v0uaded3 the British loss was I2i killed 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 12^ 

32 wounded, and 601 regulars taken prisoners. 
The Indians, from the hest information, suffered 
severely, 33 of them were fiund dead on the 
iield. Six brass pieces of artill ry, and two iron 
^i pounders, and a large quantity of sm.ill arms, 
fell into Ihe hands of the victors. Every \nieri- 
©an will be pleased to learn, that among the 
field pieces, were three, which were taken from 
the British during the revolutionary war, bearing 
the motto ** tfiirrcndered hy Burgoijne at Sarato 
ga,** and lately surrendered to the enemy by 
Gen. Hull. Major General Proctor, who com- 
manded the enemy's forces, escaped with diffi- 
culty, accompanied by about 50 persons, consist- 
ing chiefly of officers of the army. 

After this total defeat of the enemy, the mili- 
tia were discharged, and Gen. Harrison, with 
his disposable regular force, accompanied by 
Commodore Perry, arrived at Presque-isle, on 
the 22d October, from Detroit ; from whence he 
sailed for Black Rock, with a fiew to co-operate 
with the army there, or at Sack* t's Harbour. — 
By this excursion he, in the short space of less 
than a month, recovered the territory of Michi- 
gan, punished and forced into peace, the nume- 
rous hordes of savages, captured a British regu- 
lar army, brought security to the inhabitants of 
the north-western frontier of the United States, 
and marched triumphantly through a great por- 
tion of the Upper Province of Canada. General 
Cass was left in the provisional government of 
Michigan territory. 

The instances of successful bravery, which had 
hitherto been frequent, were in a manner, eclips- 
ed by the following : 

Major George Croghan, in the 22d year of 
liis age, was left, by Gen, Harrison, in command 



IS© HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

of 160 men, and with one six-pounder, at Fort 
Stephenson, (Lower Sandusky.) 

In the course of two weeks there had been 
no fewer than ten rencounters ; in one of which, 
Ihe enenij carried a block-house at Fort Madi- 
son on the 10th July, from which they attacked 
the fort, but without success. Four men were 
butchered in the block- house. 

It would appear, that it was Gen. Harrison's 
intention, not to expose the small force at Fort 
Stephenson, to be cut off by an enemy very su- 
perior in numbers ; and the major was, for a 
short time, superseded in the command, in con- 
sequence of disobeying an order to burn and 
evacuate the fort ; but, on his arrival at head- 
quarters of the general, he gave such satisfac- 
tory evidence of his ability to maintain the post, 
that he was immediately sent back with direc- 
tions to iTsume the command. 

On the evening of the 1st August, the British 
and Indians, who had come up to Sandusky 
river, from the bay, commenced from their 
boats a heavy cannonading upon the fort, and 
threw in a great number of shells from their 
bomb batteries. The enemy continued his ope- 
rations without success until the evening of 
the 2d, when, after throwing a great number of 
balls from a six pounder, at the north-west an- 
gle of the fort, for the purpose of making a 
breach, a column, under command of Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Short, advanced to the point on which 
the artillery had beefi played, with intention of 
storming, but the judiv-'ious management of Ma- 
jor Croghan, foiled the enemy in his attempt. 
The ditch, which surrounded the works, was 
about eight feet wide, and of equal depth — tliis 
the enemy had to enter before they eouid ap- 



MISTOHT ttV THE W4K. 131 

pronnh the pickets : (throuj;h the top of eaeh, 
a tiaj^oiiet was driven in a horizontal direction,) 
while in this situation, the six p<iunder« which 
w iS maskt-d in a biDck-house, and a ravine ad- 
jiieent, poured upon ihe stonnin.^ ooluun a tre- 
ni ndous sh >wt*r of iiiu-sket balls, whi h did ter- 
rible exeeuiion, and so confounded the assail- 
ants, tliat Lieut. Colonel Short, who had pre- 
viously ord^ r*^d his men to ♦• scale the pickets, 
and show the daained Y.mkee r»iscals no qudP- 
ters," exiiibited a wiiite handkerchief as a i^ij^- 
nal of distress, evincing his disposition to have 
quarters given him, after he had proelaiuiei! 
tuat the gari'ison should he massacred. It was, 
however, too late — the n«'Xt discharge provfd 
fataS-4ie fell— ind Lieut. Gordon of the :29th 
regi uient died by his side. This w.is near two 
hou's before sun-set. The firing from the 
bl'K-k- house was principally directed a^ the en- 
emy who had taken refuge in the direction of 
the ravint> — the slaughter there was immense, 
and Gen. Procloi\ who com'nanded in persotif 
o dered the aiied enemy to retreat to theip 
boats. The greater part of the night w is oc- 
cupied in carrying off the dead and wounded — 
from the number of trails discovered in the 
grass, it is evident that no less than 50 of the 
dead were dragged away. About 30 killed, in- 
cluding the two ofti<'ers mentioned above, were 
left in the ditch and ravine— and 30 prisoners, 
18 severely wounded, which Gen. Proctor in his 
hurry, left behind, were afterwards brought in- 
to the fort. It is a fact, worthy of observation 
that not one Indian was fouad among the dead 
ahhough it is known that from 3 to 400 were 
p'TsenV, under the oelebrated Captain Kllio* — 
The number of Britisli regulars was *90^ from 



132 HISTORy OV rHE \VA"R. 

the i9ih re,i»iment. Major Cioghan liad but 
one man killed, and seven slightly wounded. 

The Bi'itish loss, by their own confession, 
amounted to 91, exclusive of Indians. There 
was, however, sufficient evidence to justify the 
belief, that it was considerably more. 

When Colonel Elliot demanded the surrender 
of the fort, he stated, tliat, unless his den^and 
was promptly acceded to. a general massacre 
would ensue. And when Colonel Short, who 
eointiiandid the British regnl rs, destined to 
storm the fort, had formed his troops in a line 
parallel with the ditch, he ordered them, in the 
hearing of our men, to leap the diJch, cut dowH 
the pickets, and eive the Americans no quar- 
ters. 'I'his barbarous order, which none hut a 
savage cou'd give, was not, however, permitted 
to go unpunished ; for the words were hardly 
out of the mouth ot the British commander, 
when the retribute justice of Providence ar- 
rested him ; and the wretch was obliged to sue 
for that mercy which he had determined riot to 
extend to others. It may be observed here, in 
honour of the cbara<*ter of the American sol- 
diers, that although their little band were well 
aware of the fate which the enemy had prepared 
for them, yet, they were no sooner subdued, 
than the Americans forgot the crimes of the en-^r 
etny in their sufferings ; and the ivounded in the 
diichi whose groans and const oni calls for water, 
were heard hi} the men in the fort* were supplied 
with thr t necessary article^ on the night succeed- 
ivg the discomfiture of the enemy, by the genera^ 
sify of the Jlmericans, who* with considerable 
hazard, ventured to risk their lives in order to 
alleviate the sufferings of the very men who had 
j^loited thtir entire destruction* 



mSTORY OF THE WAK. 1§S 

The brevet rank of lieutenant-colonolliasbeen 
^onfert'ed by the president of the United States 
ou Major Croghan. 

The ladies of Chillicothe have presented him 
^ith a sword« and a tiattering address. 

On the 3d of June, a detaehment of the ene- 
my, with a nuaiber of gun boats, from Isle- 
Aux-Noix, succeeded in capturing the U. S, 
armed vessels. Growler and Kagle, on Lake 
Champlain, after a well contested defence by 
the brave crews of these vessels, against a very 
superior force. I'he consequence was, that the 
enemy gained a very decided superiority on the 
lake. 

The enemy reckoned On success in his future 
operations in this quarter, not only from his 
own superior force, but also from the unprepared 
state of the Vmericans, Com. Macdonough 
had not a sufficient number of seamen to man 
his sloops, and would be highly reprehensible 
had he been defeated in an attempt to recover 
the ascendency on the lake. I'here were no 
troops stationed at PJttttsburgb. While things 
vere thus situated, the British flotilla, consist- 
ing of two sloops of war, (the Eagle a'jd Growler.) 
lately captured, three gun boat^.and 44 hatteaux, 
loaded with troops, sailors, and marines, about 
1400 in all, under the command of Col. Murray, 
crossed the line at Champlain, on the 301 h Ju- 
ly, and entered Plaltsburgh on the following day. 

i)n the first information of the approach of 
ilie enemy, Gen. Mooers gave orders for calling 
out the militia ; and when the enemy arrived, 
about 300 from Plattsburgh and the neighbour- 
ing towns, had collected, who retired back a few 
miles, whftre they were joined by the residue of 
iiie regiuieut from the county of E^sex* 
H 



134 HISTORY OT THE WAR* 

Although the officers who had the eoTnmand 
of ihe expedition, assured the civil uuiliorit^ of 
the village, that private propert;^ sl^ould he re- 
spected, and that citizens not in anus, sitoold 
remain unnolesJec! — ^et tliese pronuhCh vere no 
sooner nihde than violated ; the enen.v, n(»t sat- 
isfied \iifh destroying the piihlie hiiiidings, such 
as the block house, arsenaJ, armory, I o<^pi(al9 
and miiilar^ cantonntents, wantonly huir?ed t>\o 
sloie-ljous-es, lielonging to Ptter Haifl^, esq* 
and one hehmgiiig to Major ^N. Z, Flat! — 1< ok, 
and eartied eft' several thousand ('oUars worth 
of hardware, belonging to Fr<»thinghaDi, \ ( o. 
of Boston, which bad luen storrd with Mr, 
Sailly. The destruction of piivate property 
was not limited to su< h as the^ could eat. drink, 
and Ctirr^ away, hut fuiniture, which cou'd not 
he of any use to the pluiidtrns, was vantonly 
drstroyt d — tables, bureaus, clocks, desks, cup- 
boards, and croi kery, were cut and br<'Ken to 
pieces, and thrown about the bouses — books and 
"writings were toin to pieces, and scattered about 
the streets. 

The various successes of tbe enensy, during 
their short visit to Plattsburgh, are describid 
by several respect a!>te authorities, to l)e enor- 
mous, cruel, and wanton, in a high degree. — 
♦• VVell was it," says one of the witnesses of tbe 
scene, *» for our wives, sisfeis, and daughters, 
that they remembered the excesses at I]an»p(on, 
and trusted hot their persons to tlie mercy of the 
invaders." 

On Sunday, the faithless ruffians, the unprin- 
cipled invaders, re-embarked, and stood out of 
the hay. They took a Duihan? bout, loaded 
witli fiour, and ei^hl sloops, one oi which the^ 
burned. 



HISTORY OF THE Wi.R. 155 

0;i ihciP return to Poiiit-au Roche, the crew 
©roaf of the hoats landed, and part went to the 
house ot* a Mr. Wiilianis ; they found his wife 
ou( of tlie house ; t\^o of tlieai went in, to keep 
the hushand in clienk, wliile the third attempted 
to j^ratify his brutal desires upon her. Her hus- 
band, hearing her screams, came to her assist- 
ance, and in the strui^gle, the woman disehargi^d 
the villain's gun. disengaged the bayonet there- 
from, which she stuck twice into his own back, 
and wounded him pretty severely; the other two 
fled, and Mr. Williams and his wife bound the 
rascal, and sent him in; (he inhabitants on Point- 
au Roche, took the skiff in which they came, and 
the other soMiers. 

The United States' troops at Burlington, un- 
der command of Maj. Gen. Hampton, consisted 
of about iOOO men. They were under arms, 
Availing the approach of liie enemy, and would, 
lindoubtedly, have defended their post againsi 
any attack they could have made on it. 

On the 3d August, the enemy appeared before 
Burlington, and fired into the town for some 
time, but no considerable damage was done. In 
the evening of the same day, a detachment pro- 
ceeded to Shelburne, four or five miles soutli of 
Burlington, where they seized a sloop, with about 
400 barrels of flour. The limited force under 
Gen. Hampton, would not justify his detaching 
any part of his troops from the protection of 
property and stores under his immediate care: 
the marauding enemy wisely retired before re- 
inforcements could have arrived. 

It was the mtentioii of the U. S. government, 
to make an attack on Montreal, before the win- 
ter would pul an end to the campaign. The ef- 
fecting of this object would give to the United 



XB^ BISTORT ©F THE WAB* 

States tbe entire comoiant! of Upper Cana^a,^ 
«ompIetely subdue the Indians, regain the contl- 
ilence of the Canadians, which was suspended by 
the sudden retreat, and subsefjuent conduct of 
Gen. Hull, and make an impression on the ene- 
jny, which must incline him to peace, on just and 
lionourable terms. A large force was ordered 
to Saeket's Harbour : and Gen. Wilkinson, wha 
liad the chief command, was ordered to use his 
fitmost eftbrt, and the greatest possible expedi- 
tion in carrying the design into effect. 

On the 1st Nov. 1813, JGlen. Wilkinson's army 
l;egan its movements from Grenadier-lslavtd, 
tlown the St. Lawrence. They had not proe<?ed- 
cdfar, before the advanced corps, under General 
Brown, was attacked b^ the enemy, from the 
shore. On returning the fire, the enemy dis- 
persed, and the army advanced. 

I'he movements of the army under General 
Hampton, were intended to facilitate those of 
Gen. Wilkinson ; and both armies were finally t^ 
unite, previous to tbe attack on Montreal. 

The army under Gen. Hampton, moved from 
Chat^augay on the 21st October, and arrived 
at its position at Sears's, an the 22d — thus hav» 
Ing, with incredible labi>ur, surmounted 24 mile» 
of the most difficult part of the rout, through 
the extensive and almost impassable forest, 
which bounds the Canada line. After 4 or 5 
miles of open country, another forest of6 or 7 
miles was opposed to their march, (which was on 
the north-west side of the river.) This the en- 
emy had made almost an entfre fortification, by 
crossing it with felled trees, interspersed with 
breast-works and ditches : through these ob- 
structions, the enemy was to be assailed — a part 
QJT their forces, consisting of light trcops and 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. t-of 

Indians, were posted in these defences, while the 
main bod^', commanded by Sir George Prevosty 
in person, was lodged in the rear, (brtified with 
batteries and cannon. The hardships the Ame- 
rican army had endured, the continual rains that 
"Were falling, and the ohsl ructions in front, would 
have dainped the ardour of troops less disposed 
to disregard all suflTerings and perils in pursuit 
ofglorj, and in the service of their country — 
hut on the contrary, partaking largely of the 
spirit which inspired their conimander-in-c!»iefy 
every individual seemed uncommonly emulous of 
the enterprise. 

It was believed that the obstructions could 
not be forced by the main body, without great 
loss. To avoid this, the light companies, and a 
regiment of infantry, were detached at dark, 
on the evening of the 25th, ta proceed on the 
opposite (S. E.) side of the river, to a fording 
place, beiow the enemy's advance, which they 
were to cross, and attack the enemy in flank 
and rear, while the main body should attack in 
front; and thus destroy the enemy's defenco 
Vii a blow. Owing to the darkness of the night, 
incessant rain, and the difficulties of the wood, 
the guide who conducted this detachment hav- 
ing lost his way, the party did not arrive at the 
proposed point. The battalion of the 10th re- 
giment, consisting of about 200 men, were, at 
the appointed time (three o'clock, p. m. on the 
5i6t li) at the entrance of the obstructed wood, 
waiting the attack of the troops on the enemy's 
Hank, which was to be the signal for them to 
advance. At this moment, the enemy commenc- 
ed a fire on this battalion, who promptly returned- 
it, then charged and drove the enemy from their 
larking places^ dispersing them entirelyj i\cdi 



±SS HISTaRT aF THK WAR. \ 

silencing their fire ; in this the Americans had 
only one man killed, and some three or four f 
wounded. At this moment, the firing comnienc- ^ 
ed on the opposile side of the river, vith some of 
the light companies, and it was here, ahd not in 
either of the main divisions of the army, that 
any serious loss, or at least confusion occurred ; 
the enemy, was, however, soon dispersed in this 
quarter also. After waiting some time lor the 
renewal of the enem^^'s attack, the main body 
of the American army fell back slowly, and hi 
good order, the enemy not daring to show them- 
selves, or in the least to interrupt their marchy 
to a position four miles from the place of action. 
Here they were shortly after joined by the de- 
tached party who had some further skirmishing 
with the enemy of no great account. At this 
place they remakied several days, without re- 
ceiving the least molestation. The only failure 
of the expedition, is attributable to the miscar- 
riage of the guide, which disconcerted a plan» 
that otherwise must have led to the capture of a 
considerable portion of the enem^^'s force, and 
ihe complete destruction of his plan of defence. 

The American actual total loss, in killed, 
wounded, and missing, did not exceed S6 men. 
The whole American force engaged, did not ex- 
ceed 225 men on the side where the greatest 
force of the enemy were opposed — the other re- 
giments did not arrive until the moment when 
the enemy were retiring, and were only formed, 
and in line> but took no part in the engage- 
ment. 

Colonel Purdy, who commanded the detach- 
Hient which fought this battle, in his report to 
€^ea. Wilkinson^ is very free in his censure of 



HISTGllT OF TflE WAB. 139 

Gen Hampton. « Incredible,'* saj s tliC colonel, 
^« as it may appear, General Hampton entrusted 
nearly one half of his army, and those his best 
troops, to tlie gnidance of men, each of whom 
repeatedly assured him, that they were not 'ac- 
quainted with the country, and were not compe- 
tent to direct such an expedition." 

" Towards sun down," says the colonel, « I 
sent Gen. Hampton a request, that a regiment 
might be ordered down to cover my landing on 
the opposite side of tiic river; but, judge my 
surprise, on receiving intelligence that he had 
retreated with the second brigade, nearly three 
miles." 

<* Never, to my knowledge," says the colonel, 
in another part of his despatch, " during our 
march iftto Canada, and while we remained at 
the Four Corners, a term of 26 days, did Gen. 
Hampton ever send olTa scouting or reconnoitrc- 
ing party, (except in one or two cases at Spears's, 
in Canada, when he detached a few dragoons 
for this duty,) nor did he, from the time we com- 
menced our march from Cumberland Head, to 
our arrival at Plattsburgh, ever order a front 
iiank, or rear guard, to be kept up, though a 
great part of the time we were in situations 
which evidently required it. True it is, these 
guards were occasionally sent out, not, however, 
by his order, but by the orders of the officers 
eommanding brigades." 

The colonel winds up his charges against Gen» 
Hampton, by saying, " Such has been the gene- 
ral's conduct, on some occas^ions, that I have* 
in common with other officers, been induced to 
believe, that he was under the influence of a tea 
free use of spiritous liquors." 

Tlie official account of this actioa, by the 



M9 ** HISTORY OF THE M'ABv 

British General Bayne«, i^ vei\v different from 
the above, but so improbable and wide from the 
truth, that it may, with niuch safety, be averred^ 
lliat it did not meet belief from a single reader 
of any party. 

As soon as Geneml Wilkinson passed Kings- 
ton, and that it became evident he must have 
desii^ned the taking of Montreal, the troops 
>vhieh were stationed for the defence of Kings- 
ton, were employed in annoying and dela.>ing 
the progress of the American army. << llie 
corps of the enemy,*' says Gen Wiikinson. in 
Jiis official report to the secretary af war, *< from 
Kingston, which followed me, hung on my rear, 
and in concert with a heavy galley, and a few 
gun boats, seemed determined to retard my 
progress. I was strongly tempted to halt, turn 
about, and put an end to his teasing; but alas 
J was confijied to njy bed ; Maj. Gen. Lewis 
.was too ill for any active exertions ; and above 
all, I did not dare suffer myself to be diverted a 
single day from the prosecution ot the views of 
government." 

On the lt)th Nov. about noon, Gen. Brown, w ho 
was with his command in front, and some dis- 
tance below the main body of the army, was en- 
gaged with the enemy, at the moment when a 
strong party of the enemy advanced on the rear 
of Gen. Wilkinson, with several gallies and gun- 
boats ; from whence they eomujenced a fire, 
but were soon compelled to retire from the fire 
of a battery of IS pouml^rs, planted on the oc- 
casion. Wilkinson's army canje to for the 
night, a short distance above the Longue Sa»:t ; 
•is was intesided to pass it that day, but the de- 
lays occasioned by dis-embarking, and re em- 
barking heavy guns, prevented the army from 



HISTORY OP THE W\B. ihi 

re^chins; llie Saut as early as expected ; and 
tlie pilots would not dare enter the Saut, (a ra- 
pid of eight miles,) at a late hour. At 10 o'eloc k 
the foliowiiig daj, Gen. Wilkinson received ad* 
vice, that Gen. Brown, having forced the ene- 
tny, would arrive at the foot of the Saut early 
in the day. Orders were immediately given 
for the il<)tilla to sail, at which moment, the en- 
emy's gun-hoals appea'-ed, and began to thiosy 
sliejls among the American flotilla. General 
AVi'kinson, ealculiiting from reports and appear- 
ances, that the enemy only looked fop a fa- 
▼ourable opportunity for attack, had determined 
to anticipate him. ** Directions," says General 
Wilkinson, <* were accordingly sent, by that 
distinguished officer. Col. Swift of the engineers, 
to Brig. Gen. Boyd, to throw the detachments of 
his command^ assigned to him in the order of 
the preceding day, ami composed of men of bi^ 
own, Covington's and Swartwout's brigades, in- 
to three columns, to march upon the enemy, out» 
flank him if possible, and take his artillery. 
The action soon after commenced with the ad- 
vanced body of the enemy, and became extreme- 
ly sharp and galling, and, with occasional pau- 
ses, not sustained with great vivacity, in open 
space, and fair combat, for upwards of two and 
a ha4f hours — the adverse lines alternately 
yielding and advancing. It is impossible to say, 
with accuracy, what was our number on the 
field, because it consisted of indefinite detach- 
ments taken from the boats, to surrender safe the 
passage of the Saut. Generals Covington and 
Swartwout, voluntarily took part in the action, 
at the head of datachments, from their respec- 
tive brigades, and exhibited the same courage 
that was displayed by Bri^. Gea Boyd, who tiap- 



142 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

pened to be tlie senior officer on the ground.— 
Our force engaged might iiave reached 16 or 
1700 men, but actually did not exceed ISOO ; 
that of the enemy was estimated from 1200 to 
2,000, but did not probably amount to more than 
15 or 1600— consisting, as I am informed, of 
detachments from the 49th, 84th, and 104th re- 
giments of the line, with three companies of the 
Voltigeur and Glengary corps, and the militia 
of the country, w ho are not included in the es- 
timate." 

Tliis battle (the battle of Williamsburghj) was 
contested with a courage and obstiaaty, that 
perhaps had no parallel. To witness undisci- 
plined troops, and inexperienced officers, substi- 
tuting courage and patriotism in place of mili- 
tary knowledge, and thus opposed for three 
hours, to a regular army, was a sight on which 
the guardian angel of America, must have looked 
with exulHng gratification. Amidst a shower 
of musketry and Shrapnel-shelh, the brave 
Americans, insensible to fear, dashed into the 
ranks of the enemy. wh«se position was strength- 
ened by ravines and thickets. The enemy re- 
tired for more than a mile before the resolute 
and repeated charges. The brigade, first en- 
gaged, had expended its ammunition, and was 
compelled to retire, in order to procure a sup- 
ply. IMiis movement so disconcerted the line, 
as to render it expedie t for another brigade to 
retire. The artillery, owing to the nature of 
the ground, could not be brought up until after 
this event. The fire from the artillery was ve- 
ry destructive to the enemy; but when direct- 
ed to retire, in passing a deep ravine, one piece 
was lost, but not until after the fall of its gal- 



histohy o¥ the war. 145 

lant eomtnanderj Lieutenant Smith, and most of 
Lis men. 

The whole of the line ^\as re-formed on the 
borders of those voods from which the entniy 
had iirst been driven, when nij*ht coiniiij> on, 
and the storm eoiitinuiiig and the object of at- 
tack having been fullv accomplished, the tioo^s 
were directed lo return to the ground near ihe 
flotil!a, which ntovemt ni was executed in good 
Older, and without an^ interruption from the 
•nemv. 

General Codington received a n^ortal wofind 
while leading liis men to a su<cc»slui » liaigt . — 
Colonel Preston was severely woiuuhd, while 
fighting at the heud of his regim«"nt. Major 
Cummi' s received a severe won fd. while Uiak- 
ing a charge, but }vi continued lo tight until 
exiiausted hv tl-e loss o»' blood, (ieneri-l Bt >d 
has tak<'n particular notice, in his official des- 
patch, of the merits of Brig. Gen, JSwar'wout ; 
Cols, 1 oles. Walback, Johnson, Pierc e, Gaines, 
Riple;^, and Awpinvvall ; Majors Mocgisn, Craf- 
ton, Gafdnei, Btebe and Chamhers ; Lieuten- 
ants ilei5r^\, M lilting, a' d Moiih The gen- 
eral c(>n<ludes his report in the foil swing words : 
« Permit me now to add, sir, thai ! hough the 
result of this action was not so brilliant and de- 
cisive as I could have wished, and tiie first sta- 
ges of it seemed to proujise, ^yet, when it is re- 
collected, that the troops had bien long expos- 
ed to hard privations and fatigues, to incU nieut 
stc»rni8. from which thev could have no shelter ; 
that the eneniv were superior to us in numhers, 
and greatly superior in position, and supported 
b> sevt'n or eight heav\ gun-hoat>> ; thai the a<'- 
lion b»^i:ig unexpc ctrd, was neeessaril^> commeuc- 
*i<li without luuch concert ; that we were, by una- 



14* HISTORY OF TCHE WATl, 

voida' I<* circunifetaiices, \o g deprived of oui^ 
arliiier^ ; and thai the achon was uarml^ and 
obslinatel^ lontesttd for more than ihree huurs^ 
during whieh there were buT a lew short cessa- 
tions of musketry and cannon ; when all (hese 
circumstances are recolh'Cifd, perhaps this day, 
may be thought io have added some reputation 
to the American armSv And if, on this occa- 
sion, \ou sh.ill believe me to have done my duty, 
and accomplished any one of your puiposes, I 
shall be satisfied " 

AfUT this engageriieM, the (rwops proceeded 
down the river without further annovance from 
the enemy or their gun l^oats. while ihe dra^'J 
goons, with five pieces of atfiil(r;y, marched 
ilv vvn the Canadian shore without molestatiojt. — 
'J he next morning the ilotiiia passed through 
the Saut, and joined General Hrown, near Corn- 
wall. 

On the arrival of General Wilkinson with 
General Hrown, he learnt that General l]ant|)- 
ton, instead of meeting him near* that place, uas 
marching towards l/ake Champlain. The letter 
of General Hampton, announcing this unexpect- 
ed movement, together with a cop> of that to 
vhich it was an answer, were immediately sub- 
mitted to a eoiincil of war, who unanimously 
gave it, as their o;nnion, »* that the attack on 
Aiontreal should be abandoned for the present 
season, and the army near Cornwall should i 
be immediately crossed to the American shore, 
for taking up winter quarters, and that this 
place afforded an eligible position for such quar- 
ters." 

Thus ended the campaign, and an expedition 
whi< h seemed, in every iespect? well oalcuialcd 
4» effect its object. 



HISTORY OB THE WAR. liS 

General Wilkinson, who attributed the fai- 
lure of this expedition to <* the extraordinary, 
unexampled, and it appears, unwarrantable con- 
duct of Major- General Hampton, in refusing to 
join this army, with a division of 4000 men, un- 
der his command, agreeable to orders," in a let- 
ter to the secretary of war, of 15th November, 
writes — 

<« It is a fact, for which I am authorised to 
pledge myself, on the most confidential author- 
ity, that on the 4th of the present month, the 
{British garrison of Montreal, consisted solely 
of 400 marines, and 200 sailors, which had beem 
sent up from Quebec. We have, with the pro- 
jVibion here, and that left at Chateaugay, about 
40 day's subsistence, to which 1 shall add 30 
more." 

In a letter of the 17th November, Gen. Wil- 
kinson writes — 

<* After what had passed between us, you can 
)erha;)s, conceive uiv afnuzt-ment aiid chagrin, 
rit the condu t of M ijor-Geaeral Hampton. The 
^Hme wsLH m vi^^w, and, had he performed the 
unction directed, would hnve bpen ours in eight 
lays. But he chose to recede in order to co- 
)i)ei*ate, and my divvning iM^jes, anl the hop .s 
and honour of thv' army, were blasted, ' 

The !o-is at the hattle of Williaiusburgh, in 
L^pper Ca'iadi, eunsisted of 10: killed, and 339 
vounded. including offiiters. The enemy's loss 

4!^ represented, bv aut sority worthy of credit, 
o f^xceed 500 in kill^^d aid ^voun«1ed. 

kvitement of the str-nj^th of the enemy, in the ac- 
tion of the : I til November, ^ 8 i 3, on K sler's field, 
in Williainsbur<fi, in Upp-^r Canada— founded on 
tiiii separate <:xamin itJon of a fiumber ot BriUbbi 
prisoners tv^ktu on tUt fic.d of battie. 



146 HiSTORT 01? TlHE WAH, 

Of the 89th regiment, 460 

49th do. 460 

Voltigeur's, 270 

Glengary*s, 80 one company 

Of the 100th, 40 a detachment from 

Prescott. 

Canadian Fcncibles, 220 

Indians 40 

Incorporated Militia, 300 

3.60 

Four pieces of mounted artillery, and seven gun- 
boats — one nounting a 24-pounder. 

After the troops went into winter quarters, ail 
placard was distributed in the Aoierican camp^, 
of which the following is a copy. 

« To the Jlmerican Jlrmy at Salmon River, 

NOTICE — All American soldiers who are wil—| 
ling to quit the unnatural war in which they are att 
present engagf d, will receive at the British out-posts,i 
the arrears due to ihem by the American p^ovem^- 
ment, to the extent of five month's pay. No maiin 
shall be required to serve against his own country.'* 

This produced no desertions, nor any olhepi' 
efi'ect, except contempt of the wretched authoPi* 
of the placard. 

A very handsome affiiir was executed the12^hi 
Oi'tober, by a party of men, under command oil 
Col. Isaac Clark. The Colonel, with his party,, 
left Chazy landing, so as to arrive at Massas- 
quoi-bay at an early hour in the morning Hee 
arrived unperceived within a few rods of Oieo 
enemy, who were drawn up in order of battle,, 
by their commander Major Powel. The en 
emy commenced a fire on the left flank, but inti 
ten minutes after the first attack, tbey laid 
^own their arms, and surrendered themsehe? 
prisoners of war. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 147 

Col. Clark despatched Capt. Finch, with his 
oompany, to reconnoitre the course of a body of 
about tiOO men, who were supposed to be ad- 
vancing against him. Capt. Finch proceeded 
with such promptness and ability, as to surprise 
and capture the advanced guard, consisting of 
cavalry, except one man, who fled, and giving 
the information, the enemy escaped. 

The prisoners were tlien put on board boats^ 
and sent to Burlington. 

The whole American force engaged was 103. 
|The number of prisoners taken was 101 ; the 
killed and wounded of the enemy, 23. 

The success of this expedition was materially 
aided by a knowledge of the country, into which, 
he marched, which a commander of an expedition 
should always be full master of. 

The following gallant action will be best de- 
tailed by giving the official report, which was 
made in tiie following words : 

Charleston^ ( S, C.J Jugust 21, 18 IS. 

** Sir— I have the honour to inform you, that th& 
privateer schooner Decatur, o this port, arrived here 
yesterday, with H. B, M. schooner Dominico, her 
prize. She was captured on the 5th inst. after a most 
gallant and desperate action of one hour, and carried, 
by boarduig, having all her officers killed or wound- 
ed, except one midshipman. The Dominico mounts 
15 guns, one a 32 pounder, on a pivot, and had a com- 
plement of 83 men at the commencement of the ac- 
tion, 60 of whom were killed or wounded. She was 
one of the best equipped and manned vessels of her 
class I have ever seen. The Decatur mounts seven 
guns, and had a complement of 103 men at the com- 
mencement of the action, nineteen of whom were 
killed and wounded. I have the honour to be, with 
great respect, your most obedient servant, 

JOHN H. DENT,- 

Hon, Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy.'^ 



148 HISTOKT OF THE WAU. 

Uiiriug the combat, which lasted an hour, the 
king's packet ship, Princess CJiarlottc, remained 
a silent spectator of the scene, and as soon as 
the vessels were disengaged from each other, 
she tacked about, and strod to the southward. 
She had sailed from St. I'homas, bound to Eng- 
land, under convoj^, to a certain latitude, of the 
Dominico. 

The loss on board the Dominico consfsted of 
13 killed, and 47 wounded ; five of w horn mortally. 

On t!ie 15lhofthis mon(h, (August, 1813,) 
the U. S. brig Argus was captured by the Bri- 
tish sloop of war Pelican. The Argus sailed 
from New- York, the 31 st June, for France, and 
arrived at I/Orient, after a passage of ^3 days, 
where Mr. Crawford, minister from the United 
States, to the court of France, landed. From 
Le Orient, the Argus sailed, on a cruise, in the 
British channel, where she fell in with the Bri- 
tish sloop Pelican, fi<.'e(I out for the purpose of 
taking the Argus. The action wis well sup- 
ported by the Ameiicans for ^0 minutes, when 
the enemy succeeded in capturing the Argus, 
by boarding. Tlie number of killed and wound- 
ed on board the American will best explain the 
bravery with which the ship was defended, a- 
gainst a vessel, which the British editors ac- 
knowledged to be superior in size and arma- 
ment. Killed, on board the Argus, 2 midship- 
juen, 4 seamen ; wounded, mortally, Capt. Wm, 
II. Allen, commander, 1 carpenter, 1 boatswain's 
male, 1 seaman ; wounded, severely, Lieut. Wat- 
son, 1 quarter- master, 3 seamen, 1 carpenter's 
mate : wounded, slightly, 8 ; total, 24. 

AVhen Captain Allen was removing out of the 
Argus, to be conveyed to the hospital, he ex- 
cUiimed — " God hless yoii, my ladd; wc ^hall n^* 
ser tneet dgainJ' 



HISTORY OF THE WAK. 1#9' 

The Argus, previous to her capture, had ta- 
ken and destroyed 21 sail of British vessels. 

The following statement will show the force 
of the two vessels. 

Jlrgiis — 16 liJ^ pound carronades, 2 long 9's— »^ 
burthen 298 tons, 9* men fit for duty, five sick, 
the rest absent in prizes. 

Pelican — 22 32 pound carronades, two long 9's, 
and two swivels — burthen 58* tons, 179 men, 11 
of them volunteers for the occasion, from ships 
at Cork. 

On the 5th September, the U. S. brig EnieV" 
prize, William Burrows, commander, fell in with 
H. B. M. brig Boxer, Capt. Blythe. The Bri- 
tish brig w as discovered at anchor, in shore, at 
five o'clock, A. M. Penmaquid bearing norths 
eight miles distance. After some manoeuvring, 
the brigs aj)proachcd at a quarter past three, p. m. 
within half pistol shot of each other, when the 
action commenced. At 20 minutes past three, 
the brave commander of the Enterprize fell, mor- 
tally wounded ; while lying on the deck, he re- 
fused to be carried below, raised his head, and 
requested " that Ihejlag might never he struck.** 
Thus lay the intrepid Burrows, until he learned 
the result of the action, when, clasping his 
hands he said, " I die contenleiV^ He was then 
taken below, and died in eight hours afterw ards. 
At four p. M. the enemy ceased firing, and cried 
out for quarters ; saying, that as their colours 
were nalleth they could not haul them do7vn ; — 
a sufficient proof that it was resolved never to 
yield to a Yankee crew. Some of the crew of 
the Boxer has acknowledged, that she left port 
with a complement of 115 picked men. for the 
purpose of taking the Ent€rpri%c ; that six meia 
were put on board a prize, and six ashore en th@f 

N 3 



150 HISTORY OF THE WA«. 

island of Manliiggin, leaving on board, when 
the action commeneed, lOi. ; which account a- 
grees with the muster-book, found on board of 
the Boxer. The numbei- of killed and wounded 
on board the Boxer? eould not be ascertained 
with certainty, as many of the former were 
thrown overboard. The senior officer of the 
Enterprize states it, from the best information 
Ite could obtain at between 20 and 30 killed, and 
14 wounded. Captain BI3 the, the commander of 
the Boxer, was among the killed. The follow- 
ing extract of a letter from €apt. Hull to Com. 
Bainbridge, is too important to be omitted. 

'< I yesterday visited the two brigs, and was as-, 
tonished to see the difference of injury sustained in 
the action. The £nter/irize has but one 18 pound 
shot in her hull, one in her main-mast, and one in her 
fore-mast ; her sails are much cut with grape shotj 
and there are a great number of grape lodged in her 
sides, but no injury done by them. The Boxer hdiS 
eighteen or twenty 18 pound shot in her hull, most 
of them at the water's edge ; several stands of 18 
pound grape stick in her side, and such a quantity 
©f small grape, that I did not undertake to count 
them. Her masts, sails and spars, are literally cut 
to pieces, several of her guns dismounted and un- 
iit for service ; her top- gallant fore-castle nearly ta- 
ken off by the shot ; her boats cut to pieces, and 
her quarters injured in proportion. To give yoii 
«n idea of the quantity of shot about her, I inform 
you, that I counted in her main-mast alone, three 18 
pound shot holes, 18 large grape shot holes. 16 
inusket ball holes, and a large number of smaller 
shot holes, and without counting above the cat har- 
pins. We find it impossible to get at the number 
killed ; no papers are found by which we can ascer- 
tain it — I, however, counted upwards of 90 ham- 
33Gckgj which were in her netting with beds ia 



HISTORY OE THE WAR. ±51 

them, besides several beds without hammocks ;— 
she has excellent accommodations for all her offi- 
cers beloAV in state rooms, so that 1 have no doubt 
that she had 200 men on board. We know that 
she has several of the Rattler's men, and a quantity 
of wads was taken out of the Ratler, loaded with 
four large grape shot, with a small hole in the ceutre, 
to put in a cartridge, that the inside of the wad may- 
take fire when it leaves the gun. In short, she is 
in every respect completely fitted : and her accom- 
modations exceed any thing I have seen in a vessel 
of her class.*' 

If there is an American wlio would deny the 
honour due, on this occasion, to tlie American 
tars, let him read the following from a London 
paper, and yield, however unwillingly, the palm 
to the first nation in the world, the hitherto des- 
pised citizens of the United States. The follow- 
ing is a copy of the extract alluded to. 

«< Among the jimerican news, which is to be found 
in the papers just received from that country, it 
pains us to find a full confirmation of the loss of his 
majesty's brio Boxer^ which has added another lau- 
rel to the naval honours of the United States. The 
vessel by which she was captured is represented 
(falsely, we believe,) as ot only equal force with her- 
self; but what we regret to perceive stated, and 
trubt will be found much exaggerated, is that the 
Boxer was literally cut to fiieces^ in sails, rigging^ 
sfiars and hull ; whilst the Enierprize, (her antago- 
gonist.) ivas in a situation V) commence a similar action 
immediately afterwards, fhe fact seems to be but 
too clearly established, that the Americans have 
tome sufierior mjde of firing \ and we cannot be 
too anxiously employed in discovering to what cir- 
cumstances that superiority is owing. The Boxer 
was certainly not lost for want of heroism. The 
British capiain nailed his colours to the mast, and 
iappily did not live to see them struck. Both com^^ 



tS2 HISTORY Of THE WAR. 

manders died in the action, which appears to have 
been of the most desperate kind ; and both were 
buried at the same time, in the port to which the 
prize was carried." 

The loss oa board the Enterprize was — one 
ordinary seaman killed ; one coramauder, (Bur- 
rows,) one midshipman, (K. Waters,) one car- 
penter's mate, mortally wounded ; three quarter-, 
masters, one boatswain's-male, five seamen, one 
marine, wounded. — Total — 14. 

The remains of the gallant commanders, 
(Burrows and Blythe,) were buried in Portland, 
with military honours. Capt. Blythe, of the 
Boxer, was one of the pall-bearers at the fune- 
jL^al honours paid to the late Captain Lawrence, 
at Halifax. 

The following memorial was caused to be inscrib- 
ed on the monument of the gallant Lieut. Burrows, 
of Portland, by Mr. M. L. Davis, of New-York ; 

BENEATH THIS STONE 

Moulders 

THL BODY OF 

WILLIAM BURROWS, 
Late Commander of the 
UNITED STATES' BRIG ENTERPRIZE, 
Who was mortally wounded on the 5th of September, 
1813, in an action which contributed to increase 
the fame of American valour, by capturing his 
BRIT. MAJESTY'S BRIG BOXER, 
after a severe contest of 45 minutes. 
A passing stranger has erected this monument of re- 
spect to the manes of a patriot, who in the hour of 
peril, obeyed the loud summons of an injured 
country, and who gallantly met, fought and con- 
quered the foemen. 

The U. S. brig Enterprize, was formerly a 
seliooner, and is the same vessel witli which 
lieut, Sterrett; ia August, ISOl; captured wiiji- 



HISTORY OF THE \V\K. 15 S 

out the loss of a man, the Tripolitan sliip of 
war Tripoli, of 14 guns, and 8b men, bO of whom 
were killed and wounded. 

By a resoludori of Congress, the President of 
the United States was requested to preseU to 
the nearest ma'e reL.tive of Lieut. ^Villiau^ Bur- 
rows, and to Lieut. R. M'Call, of the brig En- 
terprize, a gohi medal ; and a silver medal to 
each of the eommissioned officers of said vessel. 

The President of the United States, having 
considered the Boxer as equal in force to the 
Enterprize, has ordered her to be delivered up 
for the benefit of the captoE's. 

Com. Rodgers arrived at Newport, the 26tli 
September, in the frigate President, having 
sailed from B©sto:j, on his third cruise, in com- 
pany with the Congress, the SOta of April pre- 
ceding. After parting eomj au} with the Con- 
gress! on the cSrh Mu,v. in Ion." 60 W. lat. 39, 
30, N. he shajM'd his c:urse to the southward 
of the Grand Bank, with the view to intercept 
the enem,>'s West India trade: being disap- 
pointed in this quarter, he pursued a route to 
tlie northward, on a parallel with the eastern 
edge of the Grand Bank, so as to cross the 
tracks of the AVest- India, Halifax, Qnebec, and 
St. John's trade. Not being successful, after 
reaching tlie latitude of 48 N. he steered to- 
wards the Azores, off which he continued until 
the 6th June, without meeting an enemy's ves- 
sel. From hence, he crowded sail to the N. E. 
in search of an enemy's convoy, which he learn- 
ed was seen sailing; from the West- Indies, to 
England. Although disappointed in falling in 
with the convoy, he nevertheless made four cap- 
tures, the 9th and 13th of June. This brought 
h.m so far to the north and east, that he re* 



j|54» HISTORY OF THE \VAE. 

solved on going into the North Sea. He put 
into North Beigen on the 27th June, to procure 
provisions and water, not having seen any ene- 
my's vessels since the iSth. At Bergen he could 
procure only water, and departed from thence 
Ihe 2d July, stretching over towards the Ork- 
ney-Inlands ; and from thence towards the 
JVorth Cape, in search of a British eunvoy, that 
vas to salr from Archangel, of which he ob- 
tained information from two vessels, which he 
captured on the 13th and 18th July. In this 
object he was disappointed, by the appearimce 
of two of the enemy's ships of war, a line of bat* 
lie ship, and a frigate,) off the North Cape, on 
the 19th July. The President was chased by 
Ihese two ships for 80 hours, bat effected her es* 
cape. The Commodore next proceeded to a sta- 
tion where he might intercept the trade passing 
into and out of the Irish channel. In this posi- 
tion he made three captures, between the 25th 
July, and 1st August ; when, fearing the great 
superior force of the enemy in that quarter, he 
changed his ground ; and, after taking a circuit 
round Ireland, and getting into the latitude of 
Cape Clear, he steered for the Banks of New* 
foundland, near which he made two captures. 
From the Banks, he steered for the United 
States ; and. being short of provisions, was com- 
pelled to make the first port, into which he could 
salely enter. He brought in with him H. B. M. 
schooner High Flyer, a tender to Admiral War- 
ren, captured on the 2od July. He took 271 
prisoners : 216 of whom were sent home in car- 
tels, and 53 brought home in the President. 

The movements, on the Niagara frontier, be- 
gan at this time to wear a very serious aspect*. 



HISTonY OF TTTE WAU. l.^S 

The following address was circulated in the 
western district of the state oflVew-York. 
'* TO THE PATRIOTS OF THE WESTERN" 
DISTRICT. 

<* The period beings at hand which is to decide 
the fate of ^he province of Upp-r Canada, and the 
command of the Niagara fronder havinii devolved 
on me, I think p oper to invite the old an t young; 
patriots of the Western District to join my brigade 
in defence of their countiy and rights— any number 
not exceeding lOOO, will be excepted a.d organized 
immediately on their arriv d at Lcwiston, and offi- 
ctred by the choice of their men. As the move- 
ments of an army require secrecy, objects in view 
cannot be part^cula iy develop-'d ; but those who feel 
disposed to distinguish themselves, and render ser- 
vices to their country, may be assured that some- 
thing t^fficient and decisive will be done. The term 
of service will be ^wo months, it iiot sooner discharg- 
ed : and evjry thing shall be done to rend r their 
situations as comtbrtd'^le as possible. I wish none 
to volunteer who may have any cons' itutional objec- 
tions to cross the Niagara river: 1 400 of m} bri- 
gade have already volunteered to cross the river 
and go where ever they may be required ; and 600 of 
them are now doing duty at Fort George. I flatter 
myself thai no other consideration need be urged, 
thnn love of country, to excite the patriotism ot the 
yeomanry of the VVestern District. 

Given at head-quarters, Lewiston, October 2d 
1813. 

GEORGE M'CLURE. Brig. Gen. 
Commanding Niagara Frontier.'* 

A eonsiderahle number of patriotic volunteers 
flo'ked, on this occasion, to the standaH of Gen. 
M'Clure. 

The foHowins is an extract of the general's 
letter to Governor Tompkins, of t'le state of 



156 HISTORY 0¥ THE WAR. 

New- York, dated Fort George, 6th October, 
1813. 

" We have commenced offensive operations a- 
gainst the enemy. About 500 militia volunteers, 
and about 150 Indians, commanded by Col. Chapin, 
attacked the picket guard of the enemy about a mile 
^nd a half from Fort George, and drove them in 
upon the main body, when the enemy opened a fire 
from several field pieces. Our men retired in good 
order into the fort with the loss of one man killed 
and two or three wounded. The enemy's loss was 
7 killed, many wounded, and four prisoners. 

*' In a short time, the enemy appeared in consider- 
able force within 500 yards of the fort, at the edge 
of the woods ; Chopin agcdn sallied out with about 
SOO men, and some Indians, commenced a brisk fire 
on the whole of the enemy's line, and drove them 
half a nnle — but, perceiving, by the movements of 
the enemy, that they would outflank us, I ordered 
200 to reinforce him, and in two detachments to at- 
tack the enem)'s flanks. We succeeded in driving 
the enemy into the woods, when n^ght coming on, 
put an end to the conflict. Our loss was triflmg ; 
I have not ascertained that of tht eneiyiy. Colonel 
Chapin is a brave man. E>ery officer and soldier 
<lid his duty." 

Co!. Chaphj, in a private letter, to a friend in 
Buffaloe, thus details the brush be had with the 
eiiemv. 

** VVhile at dinner I received information of the 
British army bcmg in the town of Newark. I im- 
m«diatesy rdlied a party of 100 men, and commenc- 
ed a fire u on them, who returned it with much 
Wir<i)tii — we kept the gr< und till we were rein- 
fojxed by 60 Indians, and 100 militia With this 
force, we compelled the enemy to retreat, and pur- 
sut d tliem one ad a half miles, when we received 
a rei forcerpcnt of 1< n-^n : with this force, we 
drove them huif a miie iuither, wiieic they covt led 



HISTORY OF THE WAR, 157 

themselves in a ravine, and opened a most tremen- 
dous fire of musketry upon us. After an hour and 
a half hard fighting, we drove them from the ravine, 
back to the batteries — it being now nearly dark, we 
returned in good order. 

" From some deserters, and a prisoner we took^ 
we learn that we had contended with the whole Bri- 
tish army, consisting of 1 lOu men, with the great 
Gen. Vincent at their head ; and that we killed 32, 
Our loss was four, killed and wounded." 

Major Chapin has recently been brevettcd 
lieuteuant colonel, in the United States' army. 

(ten. M»Clure, with the New York militia, 
"^'olunteers, and Indians, succeeded in driving the 
British army from the vicinity of P'ort George, 
and pursued them as far as Twelve-mile-creek. 
Col. Scoft, who commanded at Fort George, 
having informed Gen. M*Clure, that he was un- 
der orders to leave that place with the regulars, 
the general was compelled to abandon his design, 
aiid return to Fort George. 

It was General M»Clure's wUh, by the aid of 
the regular troops, to clear Upper Canada above 
Kingston, of the British armies, to establish a 
temporary government, secure the friendship 
and ii* necessary, the co-ojieration of the iahabi- 
turns, and compel the Indians to separate them- 
selves from the enemy, or aceompajiy them in 
their retreat. That this could be effected, cao 
scarcely be doubted, but it was necessarily aban- 
doned in faAo;n- ot a design which originated with 
the general government, aad which, had it suc- 
cei drd, wou d have been *jiore imj>ortant. The 
regular troops were principally drawn from the 
!Niagara frontier, to co-operate with Geu. Wil- 
kiiison in hi* intended attack on Montreal. Gen. 
ijlai rison*^ arm^ was also ordeixd to btickci's 
a 



iBS HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

Harbour. Gen. M*CIiirc endeavoured to influ- 
ence Gen. Harrison to aid him in atfackiug the 
enemy ; lint the instructions from the general 
government were j)ositive ; and Com. Ciiaun- 
cey had arrivt d with his fleet to remove the 
troops to Sackei's Harbour. The force remain- 
ing with Gen. M'Cluie, was barely suflacient to 
dilend Fort (^»eorge, and entirely inadequate to 
oiii;nsive operations ; and this force, which the 
g( neral stated to be »* ungovernabhs" woutd 
soon be reduced by the expiration of their term 
of service. 

The militia returned to their homes, with the 
exception of a few that were induced to remain 
beyond the term of their eniistment. The gene 
ral finding his force reduced to a number inade- 
quate to defend his post, and the enemy advanced 
vithin a few miles of him, he called a council of 
officers, and put to them the question, «* Js the 
fort tenable with the present nun>ber of men V 
They were unanimous in the opinioii, that it 
■^vas not tenable. The arms, ammunition, and 
public stores, were immediately sent across the 
river, and as a measure deemed necessary to| 
the safety of the troops, the town of Newark 
ivaii burned. ** This acJ, (said Gen. M»i lurt,^ 
liowever distressing to the inhabitants, ai.cl n»^ 
f( clings, was by order of the Secretary of Wari 
and I believe, at the same time, proper." 'J'hi 
inhabitants had twelve hours' notice to remov| 
their effects, and such as chose to cross the rivei 
ivere provided with all the necessaries of life. 

Capt. Leooard was left in command at Fo 
Niagara, with 150 regulars ; Colonel Grieve 
with 20 men and two pieces of artillery was 
"Lewiston ; Major Maliory, with 40 Canadia 
Euilltia; were stationed at Schiosser^ and th 

I 



HISTORY or THE WAR. ±B9 

general went to Buffuloe, to provi(|e for the 
safety of that place, ami Black Rock. 

Fi'om BuflTiIoe, GfMieral M'Clure issued aa 
address to the inhabitants of the counties of 
Niagara, Genessee, and Cliatague, apprizing 
them of the menaced invasion of that frontier, 
and calling on them to repair to Lewiston, 
Schlosser, and Buffaloe, for the purpose of de- 
fending their country and liome against a bar- 
barous enemy. This was too late to produce the 
desired eiToet. 

On the morning of the 19th December, about, 
four o'clock, the enemy, consisting of regulars, 
militia and Indians, to the number, by the most 
probable account, of 1500 men, crossed the Ni- 
agara river at Five mile nieat'ow. and advanced 
against Fort Niagara, which they completely- 
surprised, entering it while the men were near- 
ly all asleep, and killing, without mercy or dis- 
crimination, those who came in their way. It 
will be recollected that an attack on this plac» 
was expected, and that Captain Leonard, who 
commanded, had directions accordingly ; yet 
General M»Clure observes, in his official des- 
patch, " I am induced to think tliut the disaster 
is not attributable to any want oftroopSf but to 
gross neglect m the commanding offtctr of the 
J'oH, Captain Leonard, in not preparing, being 
ready, and looking out for the expected attack.'* 
It appears by another lettter from Gen. M'Clure, 
" <hat Captain liconard was not in the fo«'t at the 
time of the attack, having left it at a late hour 
the preceding evening." 

On the same morning on whicli Niagara was 
taken, a detachment of militia stationed at 
liCwiston, under command of Major Bennet, 
was attacked by a strong party of the enemy ^ 



IQ^ HISTORY OF THE "WAR. 

but the major and his few men cut their way 
with great bravery through several hundreds 
©f savages and others, by whom they were sur- 
rounded. The villages of Youngstown, Lewis- 
Ion, Manchester, the Indian Tuscarora village, 
and all the intervening houses, were burned, 
and many of the inhabitants inhumanely butcher- 
ed, without respect to age or sex, by savages, 
headed by British ofRvvvs painted. Major Mal- 
lory, who was stationed at Schlosser, with about 
40 Canadian militia, boldly advanced to Lewis- 
ton heights, and compelled the enemy to fall 
back to the foot of the mountain : for two days- 
the major continued to resist the advance of the 
enemy, disputing every inch of ground to the 
Tautawaniy creek. 

Major-General Hall, on hearing the danger- 
ous and exposed state oTthe frontier, hastened 
to Batavia ; and, on the morning of the 23d De- 
cember, at the request of General M»Clure, 
took the chief command of the men then assem- 
bling to repel the enemy. There was a great 
deficiency of ammunition and arms. With what 
could be procured, the general commenced his 
march towards Lewiston on the 25th, having 
under his command 150 infantry, under Lieut. 
Col. Lawrence, supported by one company of 
cavalry, under Captain Marvin, and in the ex- 
pectation to join a corps of militia, said to be 
200 strong, under Lieut. Colonel Ate heson, which 
>vas statirned fifteen miles east from Lewiston, 
with instructions, if possible, to join the main 
force at Buifaloe. On the morning of the 26th, 
General Hall arrived at Bufi'aloe, where he fount! 
a considerable body of irregular ti^oops of vari- 
ous descriptions. General M*Clure was left ia 
eomraand at Batavia. On the 27th the troops 



HISTORY 05 THE WAR. 161 

Sit Buffaloe and Black Rock, were reviewed, and 
found to consist, in the aggregate, including In- 
dians, of 1711 rnen, which were increased, oji 
the niarning of the 291 h, by about 300 men, 
giving an entire force of 2011 men; but this 
forije was sooii reduced, by desertion, to 1200 ; 
and even these so deficient in anrmunitiori, that 
a part of the catridges were made and distribu- 
ted af er the men were paraded for battle, on 
the morning of the 30th. 

In (lie evening of the 29th, at 12 o'clock, the 
Lorse patrole had been fired on, a short distance 
below Conjoktie's creek, and one mile below 
Black Rock. The troops were immediately 
paraded, and stood by their arms. An attempt 
was made to dislodge the enemy from the sai- 
lor's battery near Conjoktie's, of which he had 
obtained possession. The attempt failed, through 
the darkness of the night, and confusion into 
Which the militia were thrown by the enemy's 
fire. A second body of milifia, sent on the same 
service, was equally unsuccessful ; the men, 
after a short skirmish, fled in disorder. A third 
detachment was ordered on the same service, 
but was recalled to oppose a body of men which 
"was discovered, as the day dawned, crossing the 
river. As soon as the force of the enemy was 
ascertained to be large, and commanded by 
Lieut. Col. Drummond, and their position re- 
connoitered, the best possible disposition was 
made to oppose them, with a force inferior in 
number, as it was in experience, and ammuni- 
tions of war. General Hall thus briefly details 
the eff^ect : 

« The attack was commenced by a fire from our 
six pounder under lieut. Seel}, below general Por- 
ter's house, and one 24 and two 1 3 pounders at t,W 
^ 



±62 niSTOET OF THE WAK. 

battery, under command of Ueut. Farnum, of the. 
2lst U. S. Infantry, acting as a volunteer, i^t the 
same time the enemy opened a heavy fire from their 
batteries on the opposite side of the river^ of shells, 
spherical and hot shot, and ball. The regiment un- 
der command of Col. Blakeslie, about 400 strong, 
were regularly in line, together with detached bo- 
dies from other corps, amounting, according to the 
best estimate I can make, in all about 600 men.— 
These few but brave men, commenced the attack 
with musketry upon the enemy in their boats, and 
poured upon them a most destructive fire. Every 
inch of ground "vvas disputed with the steady cool- 
ness of veterans, and at the expense of many valua- 
ble lives. Their bravery, at the same time that it 
casts a lustre over their names, reflects equal dis- 
l^race on those who fled at the first appearance of 
danger — and whom neither intreaties nor threats 
could turn back to the support of their comrades. 
« Perceiving that the Indians, on whom I had re- 
lied for attacking the enemy's flanks were off^ering 
'lis no assistance — and that our right was endanger- 
ed by the enemy's left, I gave directions for the re- 
serve, under command of Col. M^Mahan, to attack 
the enemy in flank on our right. But terror had 
><3issipatcd this corps, and but few of them could be 
jallied by their officers and brought to the attack. 
Of this corps there are some who merit well of 
their country — but more who covered themselves 
with disgrace. The defection of the Indians and of 
my reserve, and the loss of the services of the ca- 
valry and mounted men, by reason of the nature of 
the ground on which they must act, left the forces 
<;ngaged exposed to the enemy's fire in front and 
iiank. After standing their ground for about one 
half hour, opposed to veterans and highly discip- 
lined troops, overwhelmed by numbers, and nearly 
•surrounded, a retreat became necessary to their 
safety, which was accordingly made. I then made 
c^yery effort to rally the troops with a view to rciiev/ 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 163 

the attack on the enemy *s columris, on their ap» 
proach to the village of Buffaloe. But every effort 
proved ineffectual ; and experience proves, that with 
militia a retreat becomes a flight, and a battle once 
ended, the army is dissipated. Deserted by my 
principal force, I fell back that night to the Eleven 
Mile Creek, and was forced to leave the flourishing 
villages of black Rock and Buffaioe, a prey to the 
enemy, which they have pillaged and laid in ashes." 

General Hall retired to Eleven Mile Creek 
where he coilected about 300 men ; and, with 
these, endeavoured to cover the fleeing inhabi- 
tants, and make a show to prevent the advance 
of the enemy. 

Eight pieces of r.rtillery fell into the hands of 
the enemy. About 30 men were killed, and 
somewhat more than that number M^ounded, iii 
the defence of Black Rock. But the worst re- 
mains to be told, or rather some faint idea to he 
given of the indescribable barbarity of the enemy. 

Black Hock and BuflTaloe were destroyed, to- 
gether with every building for two miles east of 
Buff*aloe on the Batavia road, and almost every 
building between BuflTaloe and Niagara along the 
river. ^< The enemy," says General Hull, <« had 
with him at Black Rock and BuflTaloe, a number 
of Indians, (the general opinion in that country 
is about 200.) who pursued their accustomed 
mode of horrid warfare, by tomahawking, scalp- 
ing, and otherwise mutilating the persons who 
fell into their hands. Among the victims of 
their savage barbarity, was a Mrs. Lovejoy, of 
Buftaloe, who was tomahawked, and afterwards 
burnt in her own house. The conduct of these 
savages struck the minds of the people on the 
Niagara frontier with such horror, as to make 
it absolutely' necessary, that a more cflicient 



16* HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

force than the ordinary militia of the country 
should he employed for its protection, to prevent 
its hecomin,^ entirely depopulated.'' 

All the settlements of a papulous country, 40 
miles square, were completely hrokeii up, ami 
12,000 persons sent as if into bej>gary. The 
tonialmwk and bayonet deprived parents of their 
children, and children of their parents ; the sa- 
vages white and red, who acted not niei-ely as 
conquerors, but as murderers and robbers, by a 
fell swoop, pounced upon their pi^y with the fe- 
rocity of the tiger, and the all-desolating ruin of 
the locust. On the 4th January the robbers re- 
tired into their own woods, not daring to wait 
the chastisement that was prepared for them. 

Considerable contributions of money were col- 
lected for the relief of the surviving sufferers, 
who gradually retnraed to view the smoking 
ruins of their late habitations. 

The enemy having declared their conduct on 
i\ie Niagara frontier, to have been committed in 
retaliation for excesses said to have been com- 
mitted by the American armies in Canada, the 
censure, or rather indignation of the suffering 
inhabitants were turned against Gen. M*Clure, 
who had the command. The general, previous 
to retiring from command, published an address 
to the public, in justification of his own conduct, 
in which he seems to have been pretty success- 
ful. M^CIure was certainly a good and zealous 
soldier ; ever ready to obey his superiors, he ex- 
acted obedience from those who were placed un- 
der his command ; he knew that strict discipline 
was essential to form the practical soldier ; and 
lie probably suffered in the esteem of some, be- 
cause he pursued a system from which he could- 
not depart, without a crime that might stamp 
bim with inddiable disgrace. 



HISTORY OB THE WAS- 165 

The importance of Fort Niagara, as a military 
position, is sufficiently evident, and the possibili- 
tv of preserving it has been unfortunately prov- 
en by an enemy, who probably would not medi- 
tate its redu<*lion, were he not. iix some maimer 
apprized that the garrison, sufficiently strong, 
was not sufficiently watchful. Had this post 
heen preserved, as it migbt have been, the ruth- 
less massacre of its garrison, after resistance 
had ceased, would not have happened ; nor would 
a savage enemy have dared to attempt his hor- 
rid incursion, without the previous possession of 
the key to the settlements along the Niagara 
frontier. 

These observations are not merely speculative. 
The enemy had undoubtedly an early eye on the 
post at Niagara ; it may perhaps be cause of sur- 
prise to some, that it was not seized while in a 
state of ill defence, and, tuat its oeeupation hy 
the enemy, was deferred to a time, when it was 
amply supplied with men, arms, and ammunition. 
This can be be^t explained, by a re- assertion* 
that the enemy prudently waited until he couhl 
find the garrison not watchful, sleeping. To the 
undaunted prowess of one of the most intrepid, 
zealous, and active officers of the army, is to b@ 
attributed, that the enemy had not an earlier 
possession of Niagara Fort. Captain M'Keoii, 
of the artillery, in his bold and successful defence 
of this post, has signalized himself in a manner 
that had few parallels during the war, and may 
probably be ranked, because it bore strong simi- 
litude, to the brave exploit of the hero of Lower 
Sandusky. This act of Captain M'Keon will bo 
best explained by the following letter to the Se- 
cretary of War, which is now pubiish«d, for the 
first time. 



166 HTSTOHY OY THE WAE. 

JVeiV'York, 6th June, ISIIT: 
Sir — When the army was yet in its infancy, and 
but very few troops to garrison the old fort of Nia- 
gara, 1 had the honour to command at that station, a 
company of the 3d reg. U. S. artillery ; at this time 
the enemy prepared to borabard us. and raised seve- 
ral strong batteries for the purpose. We sustained 
his fire for seven hours, and had our works so much 
shattered, that our commandant Captain Leonard 
thought them no longer tenable : he had the guns 
spiked, and evacuated the fort. According to orders 
I retreated with the garrison ; but at a very short 
distance from the place, I solicited and obtained 
Captain Leonard's permission to return to it ; at the 
moment it was tVie depot of an immense quantity of 
public stores, worth perhaps a million of dollars, and 
still more valuable in a military point of view; these 
I wished at every risk to preserve. Though I pos- 
sessed entire command of all my men, I took back. 
•*vith mo bvit 25 ; becavue froir^ the circumstance of 
the guns being spiked, I could not eaiploy more, and 
this number was enough for the execution of my 
plan if it should succeed, and enough to lose if it 
should fail. I placed centinek on the ramparts and 
at the barriers, and caused them to give the usual 
call every six minutes, through the night, so as to 
impress the enemy with a belief that ihe fortress was 
garrisoned, and the garrison vigilant : At the same 
time four men belonging to the laboratorv had port 
fires lighted and fuzees prepared to blow up the mag- 
azine aiid all, if the enemy could not be- intimidated 
from advanchig upon us. Fortunatelv he \yas intimi- 
dated ; the fort was sfived ; and the next morning at 
six o'clock the garrison returned with a reinforce- 
ment. On the I 6th of Oct. a second order v/as issued 
by Gen. Alexander Smvth, for the evacuation of this 
fort, and the public property was accordingly remov- 
ed from it to Lewiston ; but immediately I repre- 
sented to Co!. Winder, that the fort was not only ten- 



HISTOKY OF THE WAR. 467 

al>le, Vut that T would maintain it : he was pleased to 
Sanction Lfiis opinion, and thus I was, in &onie mea- 
sure, the cause of preserving it u second time. Oq 
the 2 I St oi November foUowiiit^. the enemy homba d- 
ed our lort with tiie greatest iury for 13 hours ; dur- 
iiji^ tnis time it was my ii;ood foriune to have been 
most iisscined by his attack and most opposite to his 
position. I he conflagration ol F< rt Gtorge and 
JNe tark will, I trust bear teatiuiony to the successes 
of my efforts on that day. 

(Signed) JAS M KEON", 

late Cupt. Art*y» 
The brave defence of Foit Nia.^aiti leU to the 
following gaiTison ovdri*. 

GARRISON ORDER. 

Fort Alagu-a^ October \5th^ 1812. 

T: is with the greatest si>tibtaction the comniand* 
ing (!ffi;.er gives to Capt IVM\eon his full ctpprobalion 
for liis spir ted and judicious • onduct, duiing the se- 
ver^ cannonading from Fort George and the biitte- 
ri( s on the oppos^^ite side the river, against this post, 
for more than seven hours on the 1 >h Oitober inst* 

To Dr. West he begs to ex;ress his sincere nai ks 
for the aid and assistance received from him. T» 
tne non-commissioned offi.ers and privates of the 
garrison he has o-:iy to s^y that they have Iris full 
approbation for their cool and <^etermine(l courage^ 
and their zeal and activity during the day. 

iV LEONARD, C pt. 
Commanding Fort Niagara. 

While things were thus progies-^in.a: on land, 
the liritish were preparing a naval fnrce for the 
annoyance of tht^ citizens on the sea-hoard. 

Admiral Warren arrived at llulifax on the 
27th Septemher, 4 81'i ; and having attempted in 
vain to deceive the American government with 
false profesi»iov\s of a pacKie intention, he ^iro- 
c^edeci ih Jauuar^^ off JMevv-York. 



|[68 iiisTO&Y ar the wak. 

Early in February, 181S, ihe Chesapeake bay 
and Delaware river were blockaded. 

The British fleet coatin«ed in the bay and 
rivers eaaneeted therewith. Their transactions, 
for the greater part, form a history of petty 
landings? wherever no considerable force could 
be opposed to theiri ; burning or taking every 
vessel that came within their pow<?r, plundering 
the inhabitants adjacent to the waters, burning 
bouses, and insulting, in the most libidinous 
manner, those females, who did not, or couhl not 
fly from them. The following deserve particu-^ 
Jar record. 

A letter, of which the following is a copy, 
was sent to Lewistown, in the state of Delaware, 
on the 16th Miinh, i8i3. 

"Sir. — As soon a« you receive this, I must re- 
quest you will send twenty live bullocks with a pvo- 
portionablt; quantity of vegetables and hay to the 
Poictiers, for the use of his Britannic majesty's 
equycjron now at this anchorage, which shiiU be im- 
jnediately paid tor at the Philadelphia prices. Ify<.u 
refuse to comply with this request, i shall be under 
the necessity oi destroying your town, 

I have the honour to be, Sir, vour ob't. servant, 
J. P. BERESFORD, Commodore, 
commanding the British squudron in 
the mouth of the Delaware. 
The J!rst Magistrate of Lewistown.'* 

The magistrate transmitted the letter to Gov- 
erui^i Uaslet, who sent a reply to the admiral 
on the 23d, eonciudiiig in the following words: 
*• I have only to observe to you that a compli- 
ance would be an immediate violation of the 
laws of my country, and an eternal stigma on the 
nation of which I am a citizen. A compliance^ 
therefore, canaot bt^ acceded to*'^ 



HiaTOKY QV THE WAE, lfr9 

On the evening of the 6th April, theBelvidera 
and two small vessels came in close into Lewis, 
and comtnenced an att.icli, by firing several 3:i^lb. 
shot into the town, which have been picked up ; 
alYer which a flag was sent, to VThich the follow* 
ing repl,v was returned. 

«< SiE Tn reply to the renewal of your demand 

M'ith the addition for a '' supply of water.*' I have to 
inform you that neither can be complied with. This, 
too, you must be sensible of ; therefore 1 must in- 
sist the attack, on the inhabitants of this town is both 
wanton and cruel. 1 have the honour to be, your 
mobt obedient servant, 

S B. DAVIS, Col. Commandant." 

Another message was sent, in which the Bri- 
tish Captain Byron, among other matter, wrote, 
<* 1 grieve for the distress of the women" — to 
which a verba? reply was given, <* That Colonei 
Davis is a gallant man, and has already takeu 
care of the ladiv^s." 

The attack continued till near 10 o'clock.—^ 
The firing was kept up during the greater part 
of the following day. One of the most danger- 
ous of their gun-boats was silenced by the fire 
from a small battery. The enemy withdrew on 
the 8th, afJer firing on Lewis for 22 hours, 
with liitle effect, and without accomplishing his 
object. 

In their progress up the bay, the British land- 
ed at Freachtowa on the Elk river, and burned 
the store-houses, destroying or carrying away all 
the public or private property which they con- 
tained. 

From FrenchtowB, the enemy proceeded to 
Havre-de-Graee, a flourishing Ihtle village oa 
the Susquehannah. where they landed, in consi- 
diirable f^rccj on the 3d of May, and proceeded 



170 JfcllaTOEY OF THE WAK. 

to plundev and bmn with a savageiiess (bat re- 
quired but the use of the scalping knife, to out- 
rival tbeir red allies. Twenty-four of the best 
houses in tbe to^n were burned, and the others 
j>iimdered. A small party of militia were sta- 
tioned at Havre- de- Grace, who, on the approacli 
of the enemy, made a slight resistance, and then 
retreated. An Irishman, named O'Neil, with a 
4iourage amounting to rashness, and an enthusi- 
asm not confined by cold loyalty, opposed his sin- 
gle arm to the British host, was taken prisoner 
and carried on board the British fleet, but after- 
wards released on parole. 

His countrymen, residing in Philadelphia, pre- 
sented the brave O'Neil with a sword. 

From Havre-de-Grace, the enemy proceeded 
further up the river, and burned the warehouse 
belonging to Mr. Stump, and a furnace belong" 
ing to Mr. Hughes, at Princippi. 

On the morning of the 4tb, the enemy evacu- 
ated Havre-de- Grace, and procecxled down the 
bay. 

The next exploit of the enemy was the burn- 
ing of the unprotected villages of Frederick and 
Georgetown ; the former in Cecil county, the 
latter in Kent county, opposite each other on the 
Sassafras river, in the state of Maryland. 

The movements of the enemy on the 20th 
June, having indicated a design to attack Nor- 
folk, wliieh place was then ill prepared for de-^ 
fenee. Captain Tarbell, finding Craney Island ra- j 
ther weak manned, directed Lieutenants Neale, 
Shubrick, and Sanders, with 100 seamen, to at 
small battery at the N. W. point of the islands 
At five o'clock on the morning of the 22d, the 
enemy was discovered landirg round the point * 
Nansemond river, a force, reported by desert 



HISTORY OV TBB WAR, 15^1 

and others, to exceed 3000 men : at eight, A. M. 
the barges atteinpted (o land, in front of the is- 
land, an '.idditionai force of i 500, when Lieuts. 
Neale, Shubrick, and Sanders, with the sa'hlors 
under their command, and the mai'ines of the 
Constellation frigate, 150 in number, opened » 
lire, which was so well directed, that the enemy 
was obliged to retreat to his ships. Three of his 
largest barges were sunk ; one of them, called 
the Centipede, Admiral Warren's boat, 50 feet in 
length, carried 75 men, the greater part of whom 
were lost. Several of tlie boats fell back, in the 
rear of the island, and commenced throwing 
rockets from Mr. Wise's houses ; but they were 
quickly compelled to move off, by the shot di- 
rected to that quarter, from gun-boat No 67. — 
In the evening, the enemy's boats came round 
the point of Nansemond, and, at sun-set, were 
seen returning to their ships full of men. At 
dusk, they strewed the shores along with fires, in 
order to rjm away by the light. 

The British troops, that were previously land- 
ed, made their appearance on the main land* 
with a view to attack the west and north posi- 
tions of the island, but with no better success 
than attended the men in the hoats. Two 24- 
pounders and four six poundei^s were advantage- 
ously posted, imder the direction of Major Faul- 
kener, of the artillery, which were so well serv- 
ed by Captain Emerson, Lieutenants Hall and 
Godwin, that they produced a serious effect on 
the enemy, who was soon compelled to retreat. 

Opposed to the large British force, there were 
but a few hundred militia and artillerists; there 
were mounted on the island not more than eight 
pieces of cannon that could be brought to bear 
ci:i the enemy. « The officers of the ConsteUa- 



■X72 HISTOST OF THE WAS, 

tion," according to tlie official report of Com. 
Cassin, *» fired their 18 pounders more like rifle- 
men than artillerists." — This defence did great 
honour to the few Americans who were engaged^ 
'>Iorfolk was an important post, and the enemy 
determined on its occupation ; the force sent 
against it was large ; Admiral Cockburn com- 
manded in person, and was in one of the barges, 
oncouraging the men to advance. Some French 
deserters reported, that a large bounty was to be 
,^iven to the men in the event of success, and that 
'iTt was promised to them, that Norfolk would be ' 
pren up to be plundered. 

The loss of the enemy could not be liess than 
'200, exclusive of several deserters ; 22 prisoners 
were taken ; also a brass three pounder, with a 
number of small arms, pistols, cutlasses, &c. 

Not a man was lost on the side of the Ameri- 
cans ; the enem> used only Congreve rookets. 

On tjje 25th June, between 30 and 40 barges 
were discovered, filled with men, approaching 
the mouth of Hamptmi creek, from the direction 
of Newport's Noose. The American troops were 
quickly fonued on liittle-England plantation, 
south-west, and divided from Hampton by a nar- 
row crock, over which a slight foot bridge had 
"been erected. In a short time, the enemy com- 
menced landing troops in rear of the Americans, 
A little after inn o'clock, a. m. several barges 
approached Black-beard's Point, the headmost of 
which commenced a firing of round shot, which 
was returned from a small battery of four long 
dl2-pounders. The entire of the force landed by 
the enemy, consisted of at least 2500 men, sup- 
ported by several field-pieces, and some heavy 
guns, and rockets ; the American troops were 
Qomposed of 3i9 infantry and rifle> 62 artillerists^ 



BIST0RY aF THE lyAJK. ITS 

au(l 25 cavalry. This little force made the most 
judicious and best def^inee that was practicable^ 
manoeuvring and disputing every inch of ground. 
The contest was at one time very sharp, and wa& 
maintained with a resolution that left hope of re- 
peiling the invaders ; but the enemy, being very 
numerous, attempted to ©utOank and cut off the 
Americans, when part of the latter began to dis- 
perse in various directions. It now became in- 
dispensibly necessary for all the Americans to 
retire, which i hey did under a continued, but ill> 
directed lire, from the enemy, who pursued them 
for two miles. The Americans occasionally 
stopped at a fence or ditch, and at every tire 
brought down one of the pursuing foe. 

Capt. Pry or, with his Lieutenants Lively and 
Jones, and his brave, active matrosses, after 
slaughtering many of the enemy with his field' 
pieces,, remained on the ground till surrounded — 
and when the enemy was within 60 or 70 yard* 
of the fort, they spiked their guns, broke through 
the enemy's rear, and, by swimming a creeks 
made good their retreat without losing a man, 
taking with them their carbines, and hiding then> 
in the woods. 

Tlie American loss was seven killed, 16 wound- 
ed, of whom 2 died of tiieir wounds, one prisoner*^ 
and 11 missing. The enemy took possession of the 
village of Hampton, after suffering a loss, by the 
most probable calculation, of at least 200 men. 

Major Crutchfield. whacommanded the Ame- 
ricans, states the enemy's conduct, in the follow* 
ing extract, from his official report : 

*'To give you, sir, an idea of the savage=-like clis - 
position of the enemy, on their getting possession o€ 
the neighbourhood, would be a vain attempt. Al- 
though Six Sidney Beckwith assured me, that no un?-. 
E 2. 



i74 HISTOKY OF THE IVAR. 

easiness need be felt in relation to the unfortunate ' 
Americans; the fact is, that yesterday there were 
several dead bodies lying unburied, and the wounded 
iiot even assisted into town, although observed to be 
crawling through the fields towards a cold and inhos- 
pitable protection. 

"The unfortunate females of Hampton, who could 
rot leave the town, were abused in the most shame- 
ful manner; not only by the soldiers, but by the ve- 
nal savage blacks, who were encouraged in their ex- 
cesses. They pillaged, and encouraged every act of 
rapine and murder, killing a poor man by the name 
of Kerby, who had been lying on his bed, at the point 
of death, for more than six weeks, shooting his wife 
in the hip at the same time, and killing his faithful 
dog, lying under his feet. The murdered Kerby 
was lying last night weltering in his bed." 

A Vommitlee of Congress, in a report to the 
Louse, thus notice this transaction. 

'' The shrieks oF the innocent victims of infernal 
lust at Hampton, were he^rd by the American pri- 
soners, but were too weak to reach the esrs or dis- 
turb the repose of the British officers, whose duty, 
as men, required them to protect every female whom 
the fortune of war had thrown into their power. 
The committee will not dwell on this hateful sub- 
ject. Human language affords no terms strong 
enough to express the emotions which the exami- 
nation of this evidence has awakened; they rejoice 
that these acts have appeared so incredible to the 
American people. And, for the honor of human na- 
ture, they deeply reg$et,'that the evidences so clearly 
establish their truth. In the correspondence be- 
tween the commander of the American and British 
forces, will b€ found what is equivalent to an atlmis- 
sion of the facts by the British enmmander." 

The enemy soon f^viicuaCed Hampton, ami re** 
treated to his shipping, to avoid tlie punishment, 
^hich, had he remaiaied, wouid have soon hem 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 175 

JHilictei!. Thft following extract of a letter from 
Capt. Cooper, to the lieufenant gove.rncv of Vir- 
ginia* is proof of the shocking' bai-hsirity v»hich 
would disgrace the savage of the wihlerness. 
" I was yesterday in Hampton with my troop 
that place having; been evacuated in the mornint^ by 
the British. My blood ran cold at what T saw and 
heard. The few distressed inhabitants runninj^ up, 
in every direction to congratulate us ; tears were 
shedding in every corner — the infamous scoundrels, 
monsters, destroyed every thing but the houses, and» 
(my pen is almost unwilling to describe it) the wo- 
men were ravished by the abandoned ruffians, — Great 
God ! My dear friend, can you figure to yourself 
our Hampton females, seized and treated with vio- 
lence by those monsters, and not a solitary American 
arm present to avenge their wrongs I But enough—- 
I can nt> more of this. The enemy have rectiveoi a 
reinforcement of 2000 — in all, 6000 men ; and Nor- 
folk or Richmond is their immediate aim. Protect 
yourselves from, such scenes as we have witnessed. 
They retired in great confusion, leaving 3000 weight 
of beef, some muskets, ammunition, canteens, &:c. 
atid some of their men, which we took. It is sup- 
posed that they apprehended an immediate attack 
from 6000 of our men, which caused them to retreat 
so precipitately. My. friend, rest assured of one 
thing— that they cannot conquer Americans — they 
cannot stand them. If we had had J 200 men, we 
should have killed or taken the greater part of them.'*. 

In further proof of these enormities, the fo!^ 
lowing extract is given, from the letter of a gen- 
llemaD of great respectability. 

"At present you must content yourself with the 
fbllowing, and teleivQ it as religiously as any fact 
beyond denial. Mrs. Turnbull was pursued up to 
her Waist in the water, and dragged on shore by ten 
or twelve of these ruffians, who. satiated their brut-a) 



176 HISTORT OF THE WAH, 

desires upon her, after pullin*; off her clothes, stock- 
ina:s, si»oes, 8cc. This fact was seen hy your ne- 
phew Keith, and many others. Another case — a 
married woman, her name unknown to me, with her 
infant child in her arms, (the child forcibly dragged 
from her,) s!»ared ihe same fate. Two young wo- 
men, well known to many, whose names will not 
be revealed at this thne^ suffered in like manner.— 
Dr. ' olton, Parson H^ilson, and Mrs. Hopkins, have 
informed me of these particulars — another, in the 
presence of Mr. Hope, had her gown cut off with 
a sword, and violence offered in his presence, which 
he endeavoured to prevent, but had to quit the room^ 
leaving the unfortunate victim in their possession^ 
who, no doubt, v/as abused in the same way. 

*' Old Mr. Hope himself was stripped naked, 
pricked with a bayonet in the arm, and slapt in the 
face — and were 1 to mention a hundred cases in ad- 
dition to the above, I do not know that I should ex- 
aggerate." 

Admiral Cockburn is the redoubtable Iiero, 
who commanded the enemy in the manly attack 
on Hampton.* 

On Ihe 26th June, three of the enemy's barges 
attempted (o enter Pagan creek, but were re- 
sisted by a detachment of militia ; and after ex- 
changing 14 shots, without effect on either side, 
the ettemy retired. 

The enemy had such a total command of the 
waters of the Chesapeake, and the rivers falling 
into it, wherever the same were without the 
•f • » ^ 

* James O'Boyle, an Irishman, residing at Pugh- 
town, in Virginia, offered a reward of 1,000 dollars, 
for the head of " the notorious incendary, and infa- 
mous scoundrel, and violator of all laws, human and- 
divine, the British admiral, Cockburn," or 500 doL- 
Isi's for each of his ear*. 



ttlSTOBT OP THE WAK. 177 

paoge of shot from the shore; and his move- 
menls were so various, that a general alarm was 
excited iQ the neighhourhood of these waters; 
the troops were necessarily kept emhodied, and 
Bioving in a manner, whieh oeeasioned distres- 
sing and harrassing difficulties. The fiite of 
the females at Hampton excited an indignation, 
and roused a patriotism and a love of family 
kindred, which stifled all complaints among the 
harrassed soldiery of Virginia and Maryland. — . 

" Hampton" was a watch-word, at whieh every 
hushand, father, brother, and man, took his gun 
and fled with willingness, to meet the ruffians, 
who threatened, with worse than murder, the 
fair daughters of America. 

It would scarcely be interesting to detail every 
petty landing, skirmish and adventure, that ©o- 
enrred, while the enemy remained in the Chesa- 
peake- -tlie most conspicuous of them, will, how* 
ever, be noticed. 

A party of the enemy landed a little below 
James-Town, on the 2d July, but were repulsed 
by the militia. Two of the enemy were killed^ 
two taken, and several wounded. The militia 
suffered no loss. 

On the l*tli July, the U. S. schooner Asp, 
was attacked in Yociuio river, by the crews of 
two brigs, who putolf in their boats, for that pur- 
pose. The boats, three in number, were beaten 
off by the well directed fire from the Asp; about 
an hour after, the boats returned, with two 
other boats, well manned. There were but 21 
men on board the Asp, and they could not ef- 
fectually resist the great force sent against 
them ; they, however, defended themselves ob- 
stinately and bravely; nor did they retreat until 
after the Asp was boarded by more than 50 of 



irs HXSTont or the wak. 

the enemy. The enemy set the vessel on fire. 
Ai'tev their retreat, the survivors of the hrave 
American crew, went on hoard and extin.2;uish« d 
the tiames. The American loss in killed and 
Avounded, amounted to 10 men. Mr. Sij^ourney, 
the intrepid commander of the Asp, was among 
the killed. 

Some essays, puhlished hy the late Robert 
Fulton, on the practicability of destro^ying ships 
by torpedoes, induced several persons to turn 
their thoughts to this subject. A Mr. Mix, of 
the navy, accompanied by Captain Bowman, of 
Salem, and Midshipman M'Gowan, essayed to 
destroy the ship of war Plaiitagenet, of 74 
guns, lying in Lynnhaven bay. For this pur- 
pose, Ihcy proceeded in a boat, in the night of 
3*1 h July, 4 843, and having reached within 
100 yards of the ship, dropped the torpedo.. It 
was swept a!ong by the tide, but exploded a few 
seconds before it would have come in contact with 
the vessel. It produced great consternation and 
confusion on board the vessel, and induced seve- 
ral of the crew to take to their boats. The 
ship was greatly agitated, and some damage 
done by the violent motion of the Avater. The 
noise, occasioned by the explosion, was loud and 
tremendous ; and the appearance of the water, 
thrown up in a column of 30 or 40 feet high, 
awfully sublime. It has not been ascertained 
that any lives were lost. 

The ileet, under command of Admiral Cock- 
burn, returned to the Chesapeake on the 16th 
July, after an invasion of North-Carolina, where 
the country was pillaged and laid waste by the 
enemy, for several miles. On the 12th, a part 
of this fleet, consisting of two 7i's three frigates, 
and three schooners, appeared off Oeraeoek baii>. 



HISTORIC OF THE WAK. 17^ 

4a North. Carolina, and inimcdiatelj despatched, 
iri boats, between 700 and 800 men, who attack* 
ed the privateer Anaconda, and shooner Atlas, 
lying inside the bar. There were but 18 men on 
board the Anaconda, who resisted the boats as 
long as they could, until finding that the vessel 
must be taken, tbej' di-ichargrd the guns into the 
Lull ; but the enem.v boarded her in time to plug 
tbe holes. The Atlas, and some small craft, 
were captured. Tbe enemv took possession of 
Ooraceck, and the town of Portsmouth, without 
opposition. 

Mrs. Gaston, of Newburn. wife of the mem- 
ber of Congress, being told that tbe Britisb had 
landed, and would sbortlv be in possession »>f 
Newburn, fell into convulsive fits, and expired 
in a few hours. Mrs. Curtis died in a similiai? 
manner, and a Mrs, Shepberd was at the p-^int 
of deaib, but bus recovered. Apprehensions of 
being treated like the unfortunate females of 
Hampton, it is supposed, produ^^ed this extraor- 
dinary degree of leri'or. A large body of mili- 
tia and volunteers were assen>bled in the vicin- 
ity of Portsm uth, and on t!»e point ofat(ark- 
ing the enemy, when he thought prudent to re- 
tire. 

Lieut. Angus, commanding the O la ware flo- 
tilla, having discovered, oi th^ 27ih July, that 
the enemy had Csjased and taken a small vessel, 
near the Overfafis. got under way, and >to :d 
for the enemy. Al the dls.',M»ce of about three 
quarters of a mile, lie b''oug}it the enemy's sloop 
•f war to action, having Hneho'-ed for thit pur- 
pose eight gun-boats. a«d uvo !> oek-shir)s, in a 
line ahead. A h-'avy BriM'-h friga-e, ha'l, bv this 
time, anchored about half a Miil;> fniher ou?. — 
Aft^r a cannonade of one hour and ^5 iniuutcs> 



i^ HXSTORT OF THE WAU. 

In uliich the enemy received several shot, witl^ 
out an,> material damage being done to the tloiiHa^ 
be manned his boats, 10 in number, (2 launches^ 
the rest large barges and eiitters,) with between 
30 and 40 men in ea< b, and despatched them af- 
ter gun-boat No. i^^l, sailing-master Shead, 
which had fallen a mile and a half out of the 
I^Jie, and succeeded in capturing her, after a gal- 
lant resistance. The eiseu;y would have bt-ea 
totally defeated, had he not been favoured by a 
calm, which enabled him to carry off the gua- 
boat No l-^il, the eoloiii^s of which were not 
struck until af'er In-ing boarded. The sound of 
«annon, on this occasion, was heard at the city of 
Washington, a distance of a ICO miles. 

Baling master Shead concludes his official i^e- 
port in the following words : 

« t fo and it necessary, for the preservation of the 
few vaiuu >le lives loa, to surrender to seven times 
our number ; the enemy boarding:, loade<i our decks 
with men; we wtre all driven below, and it was with 
the utmost difficulty that the officers could stay the 
reveiig;e of the si amen, who seemed to thirst for 
blood and plunder, the last of which they had, by rob- 
bing us of every thing ; we had none killed, but 7 
wounded, 5 slightly. The enemy's loss by us, was 
7 killed, and 12 wounded, 4 of which have since' 
died. f hey have conquered me, but they have paid 
^dearly for it ; and I trust, Sir, when you ccme to vie\r 
the disadvantages that I laboured under, having been 
but 7 days on board my boat, and scarcely Ume to 
-station my men, and the misfortune of entirely dis- 
abling my gun, and the superiority of numbers to 
^oppose me, you will be convinced that the flag I had 
the honour to wear, has not lost any of that national 
character which has ever been attached to it.** 

It is painful to the historiao, that wliile lie re- 
tjtsrds the map^ instances of virtuous patriotism? 



itfS^ORY ©F fa^ WAIT* IM. 

^11(1 glorious prowess, whicli signalized the eiti- 
2<Mis and inhabilants of the Ufiitrd Slates, it be- 
comes also kis dut^ to recoid tiieir crifiies and 
treas<>ns. Mueli consolation is, howevei*, deriv- 
ed from the reflf^ction, that patriotism was th© 
prevailing sentiment ofo,g!eat majority!' of th© 
people. rhe f<>slo'.ving general ordr was |»ub- 
lished. and dated from the nav^ department, at 
the city of Washington, and sent, as a circular,^ 
to the commanding offic rs of s ations, or ves- 
sels of the navy of the United Stales. 

*' The palpable and criminal intercourse held witk 
the enemy's forces, blockading and invadinjj the wa- 
ters and shores of the U States, is, in a military view, 
an offence of so deep a die, as to call for the vigilant 
interposiuon of ail the naval officers of the United 
States. 

" This intercourse is not only carried on by fo* 
reigjners, under the specious garb of friendly flags, 
wlio convey provisions, water, and succours of all 
kinds, (ostensibly destined for friendly ports, in the 
face, too, of a declared and rigorous blockade,) di- 
rect to tiie fleets and stations of the enemy, with con- 
stant int^ lligence of our naval and military force and 
preparation, and the means of continuing and con- 
ducting the invasion to the greatest possible annoy- 
ance of the country ; but the same traffic, intercourse, 
and intelligence, is carried on with great subtility 
and treachery, by profligate citizens, who, in vessels 
ostensibly navigating our waters, from port to port» 
"Under cover of night, or other circumstances favour- 
ing their turpitude, find means to convey succours or 
inielligence to the enemy, and elude the penalty of 
the law. This lawless trade and iniercourse is also 
carried on to a great extent, in craft, whose capacitf 
exempts them from the regulations of the revenue^ 
laws, and from the yigilcnce which vessels of greatef- 
ewpacity attriict. 



1S3 lilSTORT tP THE WAtt, 

<' T am therefore commanded by the President o£ 
the United States, to enjoin and direct all naval com- 
manding officers, to exercise the strictest vigiience, 
and to stop or detain all vessel? or craft, vi^hatsoever, 
procee«iing, or apparently intending to proceed, to- 
ivards the enemy's veisels within the waters or hov- 
ering about the harbours of the United States ; or 
towards any station occupied by the enemy, within 
the jurisdiction of the United St.stfs, from which 
Te«^se.ls or craft the enemy might derive succoura or 
intelligence. 

w jor^ES." 

The enemy, the better to carry his projects in 
the Chesapeake into execution* look possession of 
Kent island, and fortified the nairows ; which 
station he, however, soon afterwards deserted. 
On the 10th Augii*>t ho made an attack on St. 
Sllii'hael, with 11 barges, which went up the 
river on the opposite side, and came down on the 
side of St. Micfiuel, with so little noise, tbat they 
were not pe« ceived passinj^ up or down the river j 
a^^d as it was very cloudy, and the men in the 
1' rt, witfiout suspicion of attack, the eneuiy 
landed before they were discovered. I'he men 
Hred two p-nns and left the fort, of which the en- 
emy imnudJately took possession, and gave three 
cheers, sj.pposinj? they wouhi have St. Michael 
yjthout nsuch difBeulty ; but they were very 
];)iuch nji^taken. forihe St. MiclraePs people, and 
Capt. Vickers, of tl^e Kaston p'ai ket, with the 
arrinery fioni Euston, attacked them «<> hriir«kly, 
and iK)inted tlieir guns widi so nafch jiidgn^ nt, 
that our invaders were soon ohligt d to n?ake utT — 
the infiintry were not engajted. N( t a njH?i of 
the Americans was hurt. altliOi gh the gejipe s> -'t 
^evv like hail in the town, unci flieir I'/fiMs w t 
through a number of the Louses. Ihe i\\Q 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. iSB 



f^iots that were fired from the fort roust have 
d(Hie aome execution, as a quantity of blood was 
seen on the shore, and two swords and a pistol 
were left behind, and their barges were seen to 
be struck by the artiliery from the town. 

On the morning of the l4:th Aus^usf, at foup 
o'clock, the eneni,v attacked Queenston, in Queea 
Anne county, both by land and water ; — about 
600 troo;>s were landed and marched up to the 
to.vn, and 20 armed barges m:?de {he attack by 
waser — the attack was so unexpected, tliat but 
iitde resistance was made — a picket guard of the 
American militia were fired on by the enemvy 
one of them was killed, and two or three wound- 
ed — tlie militia retreated to Centreville, and left 
the enemy in possession of the town. 

Were the enemy to confine himself in the cap- 
turing of vessels and their cargoes, and the de- 
struction of pHblie property, he would be justi- 
fiable ; but it is due to truth, not to conceal, that, 
departing from all established rales of warfare, 
he not only carried off private property, when- 
ever he could seize it, but also destroyed what- 
ever he could reach, and could oot remove. On 
the 2d November, he landed on George's island,, 
and burned all the buildings on it, he decoyed a 
great number of negroes, with a promise t© 
make them free — and afterwards shipped these 
wn tches to the West-Indies, where they were 
sold as slaveSf for the hcnejil of Brilhli officers. 
The following device was practised with success. 

A party ofthemili'ia, (17 in number,) stationedi 
themselves behind the Sand-hills, while two white 
men, with their faces and hands blacked, went 
down upon the beach, and waved their hand- 
kerchiefs to the ships, vrhen a boat, with six men. 
Immediately came ashore, followed, at some 



±S% HIST©P^Y OTP TiTE WAIt, 

distance, bj two others, full of men. Just aa lb* 
Hi ^n from the tirst boat were jueparing to land, 
one of those disguised, in walking a few steps, 
showed his bare ancles, which he omitted to 
blacken, when the enemy exclaimed — *« White 

men in disguise, hy ; let us push ojf/"--^ 

which they did, and at the same moment, the 
militia ran out and fired upon them, uniil they 
were outof gun-shot 5 they killed two out of the 
six. 

It would be impossible, in the compass allots 
led to this work, to do justice to the enemy :— * 
liis barbarous and plundering conduct in the 
Chesapeake, and adjoining rivers, can only be 
equalled by the conduct of the same enemy in a 
fopjuer war. ** The species of warfare," sajs 
the editor of a Norfolk paper, ** waged by iJap« 
^in : joyd of the Plantagenet, on the inhahi- 
tuDts of Pi'ineess Anne county, is of that pitiful 
and dishonourable kind, whieh cannot fail to at- 
tach a fasting siigma to his character, and cause 
Lis name to descend to oblivion, coupled with 
that of the infamous Daumore. and clogged with 
the bitter execrations of all \^ho shall hear the 
tale of his rapacity," 

The Norfolk Herald thus ably and humanely 
notices the seizing and carrying off negroes. 

"To take cattle or other stock, would be consis- 
tent with the usage of civilized warfare ; but to take 
JN^egroes, who are human beings ; to tear them for- 
ever from their kindred and connexions is what we 
should never expect from a Christian nation, espe- 
cially one that has done so much to abolish the 
" slave trade." There are Negroes in Virginia, 
and we believe in all the southern states, who have 
tJieir interests and affections as -trongly engrafted 
in their hearts, as the whites, and who feel the sacred 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 185 

ties of filial, parental, and conjugal affection, equally 
strong, and \yho are warmly attached to their owners, 
and the scenes of their nativity. To those, no in- 
ducement, which the enemy could offer, would be 
sufficient to tempt them away. To drag them a- 
way, then, by force, would be the greatest cruelty. 
Yes, it is reserved for England, who boasts of her 
religion, and love of humanity, to practise this piece 
of cruelty, so repugnant to the dictates of christianit}r 
and civilization.*' 

The great vigilance and activity of the citi- 
zens, tended not only to disappoint, but frequent- 
ly to punish the marauders. 

On the llth of September, about 15 men volun- 
teered from a militia company, stationed near 
the inlet, at Norfolk, to go and attack a party oV 
the British, who were said to be on shore at the 
Cape. When they came to the Cape, and were 
mounting one of the sand hills, they found them- 
selves in full view, and within musket-shot of a 
large body of marines, who were exercising. A 
cluster of oncers were standing some distiince 
off, between their main body and our militia— the 
latter had not a moment to spare ; they took de- 
liberate aim at the officers and fired ; four of 
them fell ! The militia then made the best of 
their way back to camp, while the enemy's shot 
whistled over their heads in all directions, but 
without eficet. 

The proceedings of the enemy along the coasto 
east of the Delaware, were not generally impor- 
tant. 

The frigate United States, Com. Decatur ,2 
frigate Macedonian, Capt. Jones s and sloop of 
war Hornet, Capt. Biddle, on the 2ith May, got 
under way from New- York, with an intention of 
proceeding to sea through the Sound. Whefi 



156 HISTORY OP TUB WAR. 

oflT Hunt's Point the mainmast of the United 
States was struck with lightning, which tore 
away tho Commodore's broad pendant, and 
brought it down on deck, passed into one of the 
port-holes, down the after hatchway, through 
the ward room into the doctor's room, put out 
his candle, tore up his bed, and then passed be- 
tween the skin and ceiling of the ship, and tore 
up about 20 nails of her copper at water's etige. 
Ko further trace of it could be diseovered. 'the 
Macedonian was about 100 yards astern of tite 
United States, and on observing the lightning 
strike her, immediately hove her topsails aback, 
fearing that the fire might find its way to the 
magazine. 

On the 1st of June, the vessels attempted to 
put to sea, but were chased into New-London by 
a British force, consisting of a 74, a razee, and 
a frigate. The blockade of New-London was im- 
mediately formed, andtlie inhabitants very high- 
ly alarmed lest the town would be attacked. 

On the 21st June, the British privateer Buck- 
.^kin, (formerly belonging to Salem.) chased a 
Roaster into Ov/1 Head Narrows, (a small har- 
bour in Massachusetts.) where five others were 
lying, the whole of which were captured and re- 
moved down into what is called the Thorough- 
fare, preparatory to being manned out, and they 
Vegan unlading one of the sloops, into which 
they intended to put the prisoners. During this 
time, from two to 300 militia collected, and pro- 
ceeded down to Fox Island, it being thick foggy 
weather, when at half past three, on the morning 
of the 22d, the fog clearing away, the privateer 
appeared at anchor about 20 rods from the shore, 
where they commenced firing upon her with 
^mall arms; and one Held piece; which killed th^ 



HISTORY OF THE WA2. 1S7 

privateersmcn almost as fast as they came oa 
(lo*'k. riie 1st JitnUeuaiJi iiit tlte cabfo, a id in 
atti^nipting to hoist the jib, ^l^i :?; ilat on his 
back.) liadhis under jaw shot awa} ; the caj)(ain 
>vas killed ; and but nine men, it is said leniained 
iinliurt, Hie rest being either kiih-d or wouiidt-d* 
It being ebb tide, she drifted out, and wlien out 
of* the reach of the Uiuskeir;^, got under way, 
leaving all her prizes, which again fe?! into the 
hands oftiie rightful owners. I'he crews pui in 
to man tliem, in attempting to escape to I he pi-i- 
vateer in boats, were either killed or wounded. 
The action lasted an hour. 

On the 23d June, two baiges, containing each 
about 15 men, from the blockading squadron oS* 
New-London, attempted to land near the light- 
bouse, but on observing a company of artiilerj 
near the shore, pulled off as fast as possible. 
When the enemy imagined themselves out of 
clanger, they stood In the barges and cheered. 
At this moment a shot was fned from the ar- 
tillei\v. which struck one of the boats, and killed 
or wounded eight or ten of the men in it. 

A Mr. Scudder formed a design of destroying 
the British ship Ramilies, of 7i guns, off New- 
London. For this purpose ten kegs of powder 
^vere put into a strong cask, with a quantity of 
sulphur mixed into it. At the head of the cask 
was fixed two gun locks, with cords fastened to 
the triggers, and to the under side of the barrels 
in the hatchway, so thatl it was impossible to 
hoist the barrels witlmut springing the locks 
each side of the powder — -and on tiie top Avas 
placed a quantity of turpentine, and spirits of 
turpentine, which in all probability was sufficient 
to have destroyed any vessel that ever floated 
pxk the water; if she could have been got along; 



188 HISTORY OF THE WAS. 

side, which was the object in view. These keg& 
were put on board the smacii Eagle, which 
sailed from New- York on the t5th of June, for 
New London, but which the crew abandoned, on 
being pursued by the boats of the enemy. It 
was expected that the vessel would be brought 
along side the Ramilies ; and, by exploding, 
would destroy that ship. The wind dying away, 
and the tide being against them, she could not 
be brought along side. When the Eagle ex- 
ploded, there were four boats along side, and u 
great many men on board her. After the ex- 
plosion, there was not a vestige of the boats to be 
seen ; the body of fire rose to a vast height, 
and thea burst like a rocket. Every man near 
or about her were probably lost, as the boats 
sent from the Ramilies were seen to return with- 
out picking up any thing. 

On the 10th June, tliree barges belonging to 
the blockading squadron, after capturing some 
sloops at the mouth of Conneclicut river, at- 
tempted to land at i*aybrook, but were beaten off 
by the militia. The enemy had three men killed 
©n this occasion. The militia escaped unhurt. 

On the 2ith July, a 1st and 3rd lieutenant, a 
sailing-master, and five men, belonging to theRa- 
miliesv were surprised and taken on Gardner's 
Island, by a part of the crew of the United 
States, despatched for the purpose by Com. De- 
catur. The prisoners , were paroled, and, be- 
ing at liberty, were joined by otiiers of their 
erew, when they found themselves sufficiently 
strong to seize and carry off the American boat* 
There was an attempt also made to interci^pt 
the American party, but they escaped in a whale- 
boat to Sag- Harbour, from whence they return;'^ 
®4ifl safety to New-LondM. 



HISTORY OF THE TV AS. l&ft 

Shortly after this transaction, Mr. Joshua 
Penny, of Easthampton, Lon.^- island, was ta- 
ken out of his bed during the nij»hi, by a party 
fiMim the enemy's ship, and, being brouglit on 
board the Haniilies, was put in irons. Major 
Case, commanding the troops of the U. State* 
at Sag-Harbour, denranded his release as a non- 
combatant; but the British officer, Capt. Hardy, 
declined, on the ground that be was a eombut- 
ant — that he conducted a party of seamen from 
]Sew-London to Gardner's Island, there to sur- 
prise and take several British officers — that his 
name bad been entered on the books of one of 
the frigates, and that he had been *• emploifed in 
a boat contrived for the purpose, under the com- 
mand of Thomas IVrlling, prepared ivith a tor- 
pedoi to distr oy this (Cii{i. Hardy's) 6'/m*/j " This 
last crime was undoubtedly that wliieh led to 
the capture and severe treat mtut of .\lr. Penny. 
He was treated with great severiiy while oa 
board the Raiuilies, t'vom which vessel be was 
sent to Halifax, where he was treated like othes? 
prisoners. He was sent to Salem in a cartel 
sljip, i{j Miv, 18li, and probably owed not only 
his liberiitian, but his life, to the cir« unistance 
that tlse Pnsideut of the United States ordered 
two British ^uhje. ts to be held as hostages for 
the safety of Mr Pefiny 

The New London bio kading squadron came, 
on tJkc 8th September, by the sound, to a place 
about 20 miles from the city of New- York, cap- 
tured 20 coasters, took a quantity of sheep from 
the nrain, and had probabJ) other I'obheries or 
injuries in view. Com, Lewis, on receiving in- 
formation of the enemy's movement, proceeded 
up the S<»und, with 2.^ gun-boats. By (/clock 
•a the 9th, he was at Sands's Fointj within 10 



1^ HTSTOKY OF THE WAK, 

mifes of the enemy. A Brhisli frigate an<T er 
sloo[) of war j^ot undep way and stood toward 
tliem. At one o'«!oi'k, P. M tl»e eoniinodore 
brouglU his flotilliito anchor in Hempstead hay, 
ready to receive the enemy. The British ex- 
changed 10 or 15 shots at too great a distance to 
produce asiy effect, and then stood to the eas** 
ward, and were soon out of sight. The flotilia 
returned to its former station. 

On the 5th of July, the British tender Eag^e, 
"wlsich had been employed hy Com. Beresford^ 
for the purpose of burning coasters, ke. was ta- 
ken by a coup de main. The smack Yankee was 
borrowed for this purpose. Sailing master Per- 
eeival went on board, and concealed 30 men i a 
the hold ; lie tied a calf, a sheep and a goose oa 
deck, and, thus prepared, he stood out of Mus- 
qmio Cove; three men appeared oa deck. The 
Eagle, oa percfiiving the sniutik, immediately 
gave cLase, and after coming ixiy »3th her, and 
iinding she had live Uouk on d^ck, ordered her 
to go down to the commodore, then about five 
miles distance. The helmsman of the smack an- 
swerd *< aye, aye, sir." and apparently put up 
the helm for that purpose, which brought hiift 
along side the Eagle, not more than three yards 
distant. The watch word, Lawrence^ was then 
given, when the armed men rushed on deck 
from their hiding places, and poured into her a 
Tolley of musketry, which struck her crew with 
dismay, and drove them down so precipitately 
into the hold of the vessel, that they had not 
time to strike their colours. Seeing the enemy's 
derk clear. Sailing master Pereeival, who com- 
manded the expedition, ordered his men to cease 
fij'injr— upon which one of the enemy came out 
ef the hold and struck the coionrs of iheEa|jIe, 



HISTOTIY OF THE WAR. iH 

She had on board a S^-pound brass liowKzer, 
loaded nidi cannister shot ; but so sudden was 
tbe surprise, they hiid not time to discharge it« 
The crew of the Eagle coneisted of H. Munis, 
master's mate of the Poictiers, W. Price, mid- 
shipman, and II seamen and marines. Mr. Mor- 
ris was killed, Mr. Price mortaIl.v wounded, and 
one marine killed and one wounded. The Eagle, 
v/iih the prisoners, arrived off the Battery in iUq 
afternoon, and landed the prisoners at Whitehall, 
amidst the shouts and plaudits of thousands of 
spectators, assembled on the battery, celebrat- 
ing the anniversary of our independence. 

A detachment from the gun boat flotilla neap 
Sandy-Hook, most gallantly beat off about 100 
of the crew of the Plantagcnet, whieb drove 
adiore and boarded the schooner Sparrow, of 
Biltimore, the 3d Xovember, near Long Branch. 
1'lie cargo, together wiih sails, rigging, &c. were 
saved ; the vessel bilged. 

The following copy of a letter from lieutenant 
Nicholson, coniJiianding the gun-boats at View- 
port, annoumed the capture of the armed British 
aloop J)art, on the -itl) October. 

" Sir — I have the pleasiire to Inform you of the 
€aj;tui"e of the British armed sloop " Dart," by the 
reverup cutter of this place, Unst evening. She ap- 
peared off the harbour l3efore sun-set ; the captain of 
the cutter off» red his services to go out ; I put on 
board three sailing-mysters and about 20 a. en ; sf.e 
immediately made sail and laid aboard the Dart, and 
carried her by bourding ; her first officer was kilhd ; 
two of our own men were wounded slightly. The 
prisoners I send or your disposal. Very respectfully, 
your most obedient humble s* rvant, 

^ JOHN NiCHOLSOiY. 
Cojn John Pidg-pi's^ U, S, 

frigate Prcudeut.^ 



iff HISTORY •V TUB WAS. 

The British Admiral Warren issued a proel^- 
Bialion oil the 16ch November, declari g Lung- 
Islaiid Sound in a state of rigorous bloikade, 
'I'iiis WHS au extension or expJastation of a for- 
niei* pror iauiation oi' llie ^i-iJh 8e|}le)iiber, by 
which the pores and harbours of NeAv-Yoik, 
Clr-rrleston, Fort Ro^al, Sava 'nali, and the river 
Ml? i'»:ppi vve;e declared in a state of strict and 
I'lgo: i»us h(o» kade. ^ 

4 proclHiirarion was issued by the governor of 
VeriniiUt on the lOfU of November, 1813, the 
object of which was to call home from the ser- 
vice of tiw United States a portion of the militia 
Which had been th< n serving in the state of New- 
York. Brigadier Genera! Davis repaired to the 
aim,y. asnl demanded a compliance with the or- 
ders of fris excellenc^Y ; but obedienee was re- 
fused, and the general was arrested. 

A repl.v to tlic proelauiation was drawn up at 
Plviitsburgh the 15th November, and directed to 
his ex<ellency, signed bj a!I the officers of the 
Vermont militia then tiiere. The replv con- 
tained, among other njattee, the following decided 
and unequivoea! expressions. 

« We consider your proclamalion as a gross insult 
to the officers and soldiers in sei v ce, inasmucli as it 
implies thai they are so ignorant of the'r rg^hts as to 
believe you have authority to command them in their 
present situation, or so abandoned as to follow your 
insidious advice. We cannot regard your proclama- 
tion in any other li;.'ht, than as an unwarrantable 
stretch of executive authority, issued from the worst 
«f motives, to effect the basest purposes. It is, ia 
•ur opinio.!, a reoewed instance of that spirit of dis- 
organization and anarchy which is carried on by a fac- 
tion, to overwhelm our country with ruin and dis- 
jgratt. We <)*nnot perceive wnat other object youT» 



HISTORY or -TUE WAR, 19^ 

Excellency could have in view than to embarrass the 
operations of the army, to excite mutiny and sedition^ 
amons^ the soldiers, and to induce them to desert> 
that they might forfeit the wages to which they are 
entitled for their patriotic services.'* 

A most positive proof of that actual treason^ 
which lurked under the shade of an ilUtimed op- 
position to the measures of the general govern- 
ment, was, soon afterward, discovered, near 
New fvondon, as will be best explained by the 
following communication from Com. Decatur to 
the Secretary of the Navy, dated at New-Lon- 
bun, December 20th, 1813: 

<' Some few nights since, the weather promised an 
opportuiii y for this squadron to get to sea, and it 
was said on shore that we intended to niake the at- 
tempt. In the course of ihe evening two blue lighfs 
were bernt on both the points at the harbour's mouch 
as signals to the enemy, and there is not a doubt, but 
thattliey hive by signals and otherwise, instantaneous 
iiifoimat'O'i of our movements. Great but unsuc- 
cessful exertii'ns have been made to detect those who 
co.nmunicate with the enemy by signal. Thr; editor 
of the .Vew-London Czette, to alarm them, and ia 
hope to prevent the rcjjetition of those signals, sta- 
ted in that newspaper, that they had been observed, 
and ventured to denounce those who had made them 
in aninated and indignant terms. The consequence 
is that he lias incurred the express censure of some 
of iiis neighbours. Notwithstanding these signals 
have been repea ed and have been seen by 20 persons 
at least in tnis quadron, there are men in New-Lon- 
do,t whi) have tiie hardinood to affect to disbelieve 
it, and the effrontery to avow their di.^belief." 

Thf U. 8. ft'j.^ fttt Coiigr *ss. Capt. Smith, ar- 
rived at Porissnouth in Deei*mbvr, after a cruise 
of nearly ei<,!jht nmndis. Du"mg !ier cruise, s?if5 
got sight of an enemy's line of batllo shiiij with li 

K 



i9ii HISTORY 0¥ THE WAR. 

frigate in company. She captured ftnd destroy- 
ed one ship and one brig; and sent another cap- 
tured brig as a cartel to the West-Indies. It will 
|je recollected that the Congress sailed from 
JSiewport in April, in company with the Presi- 
dejQt and parted company the 8th May. 

The hostile attitude of the Indians, and the 
I)attle with them at Tippacanoc, previous to the 
war, excited alarm, and caused an ei^quiry into 
its cause. A committee of Congress, on Oiat 
part of the Presideni's message, which relaled to 
Indian affairs, turned their particular attention 
to the following enquiries: 

<' 1st. Whether any, and what agency the 
siibjects of the Brilisli government may have 
had in exciting the Indians on the wesiera fron- 
tier, to hostilities against ti'e United States. 

*< 2d. The evidence of such hostility, on the 
part of the [ uiian tribes, prior to the late cam- 
paign on the Wabash. 

♦* 3d. The orders by which the canjpaign was 
authorised and carried on.'* 

The committee rep()rt«d, that** the evidence 
before them was as conclusive as the nature of 
the ease can well be supf)ostd to admit of, that 
the supply of Indian goods furnished at Fort 
i^Ialden.and distributed during the last year by 
the British agents in upper Canida. to the In- 
dian tribes, werenore abundj nt than usual; and 
it is difiicult to account for this extraordinary 
liberality, on any other ground than that of an 
intention to attach the Indians to the Biitish 
cause, in the event of a wyr with the Cuited 
States.-' 

** Additional presents,*' continued the commit- 
tee, "consisting of arms and amnamition. given 
^la time when there is evidence that the British 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 19^ 

were apprised of tlie hostile disposition ol* the 
Indians, accompanied with the speeches address- 
ed to them, exciting disaffection, are of (oo deci- 
sive a character to leave doubt on tiie suject." 

The part which the Indians took in the war 
between Great Britain and the United Slates» 
was aa additional and strong evidence in snpport 
of the agency, which the L*ritish goveriimeut 
had ill the early hostility of the savages. 

Scarcely was the Indian war with the north 
western tribes brought to a conclusion, than the 
tomahiiwk was raised on the soiitk-westeni bor- 
der. 

The southern tribes were divided inU parties; 
one hostile, the other friendly, to the United 
States. The former was the stronger party; 
the latter needed protection, and were so bent on 
hostility, that it was found impossible to enforce 
00 them a neutral policy. A departure from the 
usual forbearance of the United States' govern- 
nient, to accept their services, was unavoidable; 
and the proffered services of friendly Indians 
were accepted. 

It having been discovered that in consequence 
of an order from a British general in Canatla, a 
iarge quantity of muoltious of war were distri- 
buted by the Spanish governor of Pensacola^ 
among the hostile tribe of Indiaas, Colonel Col- 
lier, with about 180 men, marched, with a view 
to intercept the Indians, on their return. Oa 
the 27th July, 1813. ou the east side of Alab'i- 
ma, and waters of Escambia, he fell in with, 
and gave battle to the Muscogees. The fight 
was, for a short time, v/eli jnainiained on both 
sides. At the moment when victory was about 
to declare in favour of Col. Collier"s party, a 
junior oilieer, without authority, cried out ** re- 



196 EISTOEY OP TBE WAK. 

ivvai ! ^ It passed through the whole line, and, 
notwithstanding the exertions of Col. Collier, it 
ivas imjjosbible to mlJv the militia: the enemy 
was li^il liiaster or the iiehi. CoJ. Collier \oht 
two meR killed, and 10 Mounded. The Indians 
acknowledged a loss of six killed, and several 
ivount'ed. A eonsiderahle part of the presents 
Iji-onght by the Indians from Pensaeola, fell into 
Col. Collier's hands. 

Fort Mimms, on Tensaw, was unexpectedly 
ai tacked on the 30th August, by a large foree of 
Indians. The front gate lay open, and the 
Indians were rushing through, when first per- 
oeived by the garrison. The men, under com* 
mand of Major Beasley, were quickly formed, 
and a part of them contested a passage through 
the gate with great bravery; the action soon 
became general; the port-holes were taken and 
re-taken several times. A block-house was ile- 
fended by Capt. Jack and a few riflemen, for an 
hour after a part of it had been possessed by 
•the enemy. A galling fire was kept up from 
the houses, until the enemy gave lire to the 
roofs. The place was no longer tenable. A 
retreat was attempted, under direction of Capt. 
Bailey, of the militia, and Ensign Chambless, 
of the rille company, but a few of the party were 
able to afiect it. Major Beasley fell while de- 
tending the gate, at the commencement of the 
action, which conlinued for about six hours. — 
Ninety-two men, including officers, were killed | 
and many respectable citizens, with numerous 
families, who had abandoned their farms for se- 
curity, were also killed or burned in the houses 
into which they had fled. The loss of the ene^ 
jr.y could not be ascertained, but must have beeia 
Y^ry considerable. 



HISTORY 01? THE WAR, 197 

Capt. Kennedy, who was sent, after the re- 
treat of the Indians, to bury the dead, made a 
report to Gen. Claiborne, of which the following 
is an extPKCt ; 

« We collected and consic^npd to the earth TWO 
HUMORED AND FORTY SEVEN, including 
men, women and children. 

" The adjacent woods, were strictly searched for 
our countrymen, and in that pursuit we discovered 
at least one hundred slaughtered Indians. They 
were covered with rails, brush, &c. We could not 
be mistaken as to their being Indians, as they were 
interred with their war-dress and implements — and 
although they have massacred a number of our help- 
less wc'fiien and children, it is, beyond doubt, lo 
them, a dear-bought victory." 

The massai-Te at Fort Mimms, was followetl 
by several other cruel murders in different 
places. 

The general government, having been inform- 
ed of these transactions, made a requisition on 
the states of Tennessee and Georgia, for detach- 
ments of militia, to be sent against the hostile 
Indians of the Creek nation. 

The legislature of the state of Tennessea 
adopted a resolution, on the 2^7 th September, m 
the following words : 

« Resolvedj That the governor of this state be, and 
he is hereby required, forthwith to give immediate^ 
information to the executive of. the United States, 
of the time when, and the place at which, the 3,50Q 
men will be prepared to obey the orders of the genC" 
ral government, accompanied with a request that th(^ 
sf»id troops be immediately received into the pubiia 
service." 

The legislature of Georgia gave authority to 
the governor, to call out such portion of the mi^ 
Mtia, as ke might deem necessary, for the seft»5^ 



198 HISTORY OF THE WAB. 

Vity and ppotcction of the frontier inhabitants ;. 
and requiring that he call on the general govern- 
ment for subsistence for the troops that might 
be thus called out. This was, in effect, putting 
them at the disposal of the general government. 

The militia of the states of Georgia and Ten- 
nessee, with the nearest regular troops and 
other corps from the Mississippi territory, were 
inarched against the hostile savages. General 
Andrew Jackson commanded the entire. 

The first victory (for every battle after this 
period was a victory,) is thus detailed by General 
Jackson : 

" We have retaliated for the destruction of Fort 
JWimms. On the 2d,l detached Gen. Coffee with a 
part of his brigade of cavalry and mounted riflemen, 
to destroy Tallushatches. where a considerable force 
of the hostile Creeks were concentrated. The gen- 
eral executed this in style. A hundred and eighty- 
six of the enemy were found dead on the field, and 
about 80 taken prisoners, 40 of whom have been 
brought here. In the number left, there is a suffi- 
ciency but slightly wounded, to take care of those 
"Who are badly. 

" I have to regret, that five of my brave fellows 
have been killed, and about 30 wounded ; some bad- 
ly, but none I hope mortally. 

" Both officers and men behaved with the utmost 
bravery and deliberation. 

** Captains Smith, Bradley, and Winston, are 
Wounded, all slightly. Wo officer is killed." 

It appears, by Gen. Coffee's statement, dated 
Camp at Ten Islands of Coosa, November 4fh, 
that the Indians fought with a bravery that 
would do them honour, had they been engaged in 
a just cause, with an obstinacy that would yield 
to nothing but death, and with a contempt of 
danger truly characteristic t>f the savage.-«^ 



HISTORY OP THE WAR. ±99 

The detachment, under command of Gen. Coffee, 
consisted of 600, cavali7 and mounted riflemen. 
Being arrived within one and a half miles of the 
Tallushatehes town, the detachment was divided 
into two colunuis, the right composed of the 
cavah'y, under Col. Alh^orn; the left composed 
of mounted riliemen, undei- Col. Cannon. Gen. 
Coffee, matched witii the riflemen ; Col. Alleorn 
encircled one half of the town, while Col. Can- 
non completed the circle, h.y closing on the side 
opposite to Col. Alleorn. Wiien within half a 
mile of the town, the drums of the enemy heat, 
and the savage yells announced that the enemy 
was prepared for hat tie. In about an hour af- 
ter sunrise, Capt. Hammond, and Lieut. Piitter- 
son's companies went within the circle, and suc- 
ceeded in drawing forth the enetnj, and com- 
menced the battle, when they withdrew before 
a violent charge from the Indians, until they 
reached Col Allcorn's column, when a gene- 
ral fi«'e ^vas opened on the savages, who retreat- 
ed, firing until they got around and into their 
buildings. Here they fought as long as one 
existed. No quarter was sought, and none, 
from all appearance, would be accepted. The 
assaTlTt by the troops was warm and courageous, 
rushing up to the doors of the houses, as little 
intimidated as if there was no enemy to oppose 
them. In a conflict of this nature, it was im- 
possible to provide against the destruction of a 
few of the squaws and children. The number 
of the enemy killed must have exceeded 200 1 
186 of whom were found; 84 women and chil- 
dren were taken prisoners. The loss of the mi- 
litia consisted of & privates killed: 3 captains^ 
3 lieutenants, 2 cornels, 3 sergeants. 3 eorpo- 
jpals, 1 artificer^ aad 2^ privates^ wouaded*^ 



200 HISTORY OF THE WAPv 

On the evening of the 7th November, an ex- 
press arrived to Gen. Jackson, with infor relation, 
that the hostile Creeks had encamped in great 
force near Lashley's, fort (TaUadaga,) vihh the 
apparent intention of attacking the friendly In- 
dians. The general immediately marched with 
about 2000 men, against the enemy, and en- 
camped that night within six miles of the fort. 
At 4> o'clock, on the morning of the 8th, he con- 
tinued his march toward the enemy, who was 
encamped within a quarter of a mile of the fort, 
to relieve which, Gen. Jackson had so expedi- 
tiously moved. At sun rise, the General was 
within half a mile of the fort, when he moved 
forward in order of battle. The plan of attack 
was similar to that which proved so successful 
on the od inst. The enemy was to be enclosed 
in a circle. The advanced guard sent forward 
to bring on the engagement, succeeded in di-aw- 
ing forward the savages toward the main body 
of the army. On the arrival of the Indians, 
within a short distance of the main body of the 
army, a few companies of the militia commenc- 
ed a retreat ; but finding their place quickly 
supplied by a body of cavalry, who dismounted 
for the purpose, the militia rallied, when a gen- 
eral fire from the front, and from that part 
of the wings which was contiguous, was poured 
on the savages, who, uaable to withstand or re- 
sist, ret: eated ; but were met at every turn, 
and repulsed in every direction. Had it not 
been for the retreat of tiie militia, in the early 
part of the acfion, this victory would probably 
have been as complete as that of the 2d. The 
"victory, however, was very decisive ; 290 of the 
enemy were left dead on the fit-id: many more 
^.ere probably killed, who were not founds ami; 



HISTORY or THE WAU. 201 

iiiany» ©r most of those who escaped, must have 
been wounded. Jackson was compelled to re- 
turn to bis camp near the I'en ishmds, having 
marched from tlience without haj^gage, or other 
necessaries that couh! he dispensed witli, or 
might retard his march. He lost, in tlie en- 
gagement, 17 kilh»d, and 86 wonnded. The en- 
emy exceeded 1000 warriors. A stand of co- 
lours, bearing the Spanish cross, was taken from 
them. 

On the 12th November, Gen. White vas de- 
tached from Fort Armstrong, on the Coosa, 
with about IIOO mounted men, (including up- 
wards of 300 Cherokee Indians,) for the pur])0se 
of attacking the Hillabee towns, on the west 
side of Tallapoosa river. On the ITtfj, about one 
o'clock at night, the detachment marched with- 
in eight miles of the upper town, received infor- 
mation from one of their spies, a half breed and 
son of a Mr. Grajson, who had ex)nsiderable 
property, and resided in that place, that his fam- 
ily and property would be sacrificed by tlie In- 
dians on the next day, if Gen. White did not re- 
lieve him. Gen. White, with alacrity, dismount- 
ed three hundred of his troops, with part of the 
Indians, and marched to surprise the town be- 
fore day-light. Having large creeks to wade, 
and the van having to tarry some time for the 
rear, which had fallen behind some distance, 
the town was not reached until sun rise on the 
ISth^ when the town was completely surround- 
ed, and the savage enemy received the first fire 
without the least notice of the approach. Tlicy 
fired several guns, but were charged home 
upon them with loaded muskets, and charge of 
bayonets ; and in <0 or 15 minutes they held up 
a flag, and the firing ceased. An Indian towa 



20S HISTORY OF THE WAU. 

at Litlle OaUrubkee, consistiriijj of SO lioiises. a 
tuwn caUtd Gtnalga, consisiing of 93 houses, 
v/erc burned by the troops in liieir march. The 
great number, if not the whole of the iiostiU 
Creeks, assembled at the Ijilhihee town, con- 
sisting of about 316, were either killed or cap- 
tured. Sixty warriors were killed on the spot. 
Gen. While's detachment had not a man killed 
©r wounded. 

Gen. Floyd, with 950 of the Georgia militia, 
and between 300 and 400 friendly Indians, pro- 
ceeded to a town called Auttossee, on the south* 
ern bank of the Tallapoosa, about IS miles frooi 
the Hickory Ground, ia order to attack a large 
force of hostile Indians, reported to be assem- 
bled at that place. At half an hour after six 
o'clock, in the morning of the 29th November, 
the expedition reached the front of the town^ 
and the men were formed for action. At this 
time, when the army Avas about to execute a 
pre-concerted manoeuvre, for the purpose of 
suriounding the enemy, a second town was dis- 
covered about .^00 yards below that which was 
f rst discovered. This compelled Gen. Floyd to 
adopt a new manoeuvre, by dividing and dispos- 
ing his force, so that both towns might be at- 
tacked at once. This disposition being made^ 
and tiie troops having advanced, the battle com- 
Bieneed, and soon became general. The Indians 
fought with their usual obstinacy and despera- 
tion, but were soon compelled, by the superior 
force of artillery, and a charge of bayonets, to 
retreat, and take refuge in the out houses and 
copses in the rear of the town. At nine o'clock, 
the enemy was completely driven from the plain^ 
and the houses wrapt in flames. I'he militia 
being 60 miles from any depot of provisioDS, and 



I 



msToHY QV THE WATl. 29^ 

hut Wtile remaining, it \v;is juilgfd impruilent 1© 
eon^inuc in the Ihart of avoinjirv, sniToinided 
by liosts of savages. J'hss place nas, (heseiore, 
abandoned, and the troops comiueaced tlicir 
Biareli ro Chatahouchif. 

Auttossee was a Favourijc s.iot wiili the Indi- 
ans, and it is conjectwi'td. tftat tln^ force assem- 
bled fro n several to^^ns foiits di'feiiee, isiusihave 
been very eoiisiderable. It is di3ieui< io givo a 
precise hccO'HjC or' the loss of^he eiiciny ; but 
IVom tlie num. ;'r wJii li were lyini^ scattered 
over the fielcU loujeiher with ihe-^e d»'slroyt d in 
the towns, a'-id the iTian> slam on t*\e bunk of 
the river, whi-h respectable oHjca rs asiirni tliey 
saw hinf; in heaps ai the water's edge, wh« le 
they had been pre-.ipitaled b\ (heii' survivini^ 
friends, their loss in killed, indepeidenf tii'iheir 
v/otinded, must have been at least iOO, (aaion^ 
whom were the AutJoss^e and I'aHasee kiui:;s :) 
and from the citcumsiaace oi* their making; nj 
cfTorls to molest J he troops, probably j^realer. 
'J'he nuiiiber of !)wi dings burnt, some of a supe- 
rior order, for ihe dweilin.^s of sivajjjes, anil till- 
ed with valuable articles, is sup(Jost d lo be 400. 

The nnmbr of the \jnericans killed and 
■\vounded, as furnished by the hospital surgeon, 
was — Total kiiled. 11 ; total wounded, b^ : a- 
niong ^vh mi was Gen. Flo^^d, badly. 

A detaehu^.ent, unde»* command of Gen. Clai- 
borne, marched frotn F'ort Claiborne, east bnnk 
of the Aiabanra, on the I nth of December, a- 
gainst the Indi ns residing on the Alabama, 
above the month of the Cahaba. After a march 
of more than 100 miles, principally through 
woods, without a track to guide them, tficy 
<»;^me in sight of a new town, lately built by <h« 
Indian^s, on a ground called « Holy." This 



^0^ KISTOUY OF THE WAS. 

town was established as a place of securily fop 
(he irihabitaots of several villages ; and three 
©t* the prophets resided in it. The place was 
then occupied by a large body of the enemy, un- 
der the command of Wetherford, a biild and 
sanguinary chief, who was one of those who 
commanded the Indians at the massacre of the 
garrison and inhabitants at Fort Mimras. About 
noon, on the 23d December, the right column 
of the army, composed of i2 month's volunteers, 
cojnmanded by Col. Joseph C^arson, came in 
view of the town, and was immediatel,^ and vig- 
orous! attacked by the enemy, who, being ap- 
prized of the approach of the troops, had chosen 
their field of action. Before the other troops or 
friendly Indians could come generally into action^ 
the enemy were repulsed, and flying in ail di- 
rections. Thirty of the enemy were killed, and 
many wounded. Tlie loss to the army was one 
killed and six wounded. A pursuit was attempt- 
ed, but found to be impractis able, owing to the 
nature of the ground. The town, consisting of 
200 houses was burned, together with a large 
quantity of provisions, and immense property of 
various kinds, which the enemy could not carry 
away. The next day was employed in destroy- 
ing; a town consisting of sixty houses, eight miles 
higher up the river. 

Nor withstanding these repeated defeats, the 
savages seemed yet b;*nt on war. Before day, 
on the morning of the 27th January, a very 
larg«' body of Indians attacked the troops at 
Cauip Defiance, 48 miles west of Chatahouchie. 
I'he onset was desperate, and the surprise as 
co.uplete as possible. In 20 minutes after fir- 
ing on the continels, the action became general, 
the enemy pressing close en the front, right and 



BISTOUY OF THE WAR. ^05 

left flanks of the arniv ; but the savages were 
repelled at every poiiK. fhe enemy rushed 
nearly to the cannon's mouth, and gained the 
rear of the picket guards, cosnmanded by Capt, 
Broadnax ; but the latter bravely cut their way 
through the savages, and joined the army. As 
30on as day dawned, and objects could be dis- 
tinguished, a charge was ordered, and the en- 
emy fled before the bayonet. The signal was 
given for the charge of the cavalry, who pur- 
sued and sabred 13 of the enemy ; who left 37 
dead on the field. F'rom the effusion of biood 
and the number of head dresses, and war-clubs, 
fouiid in vas'ious directions, their loss must have 
been considerable. The loss of the araiy, on 
this oecHsion, was 17 killed, and 132 wounded. 
Of the friendly Indians, five were killed, and 15 
ivounded. 

Gen. Jackson, having received information at 
liis head-quarters, Fort StrHher, from Captain 
M»\lpin, who commauded at Fort Armstrong, 
in the absence of Col. Snodj^rass. that II or 15 
towns of the enemy, situated on the waters of 
the Tallapoosee, were about uniting their forces, 
and attacking the fort, which was tJien in a 
fctb'e state of defence, the geueral reso'ved oa 
an excursion into the enemy's country, furthec 
than had been hitherto attempted. lie accord- 
ingly comnnnced his march oii the 15th January, 
with 930 men, exclusive of fudiuns. t)a J he 
28th, the army en^'aniped at ralJadr.ga fort, 
where it was joined by about 200 friendly Cieek 
Indians, and 6a Cherokees Here (he general 
received a letter from Colonel Saodgrass. who 
had returned to Fort Armstr^ujg. inromiing him, 
that an attack was sorja to b ' lu ult* on tUat r«»rt, 
b^ 900 of the enemy. It was further uaUer- 



1^06 HISTQUT 01? THE WAlB, 

stood, that the enemy was colleeting in a ben(I 
4>f the Tallapooste, near the mouth of a creek 
called Emucktau, on an island below New-Yor- 
can. 

On the 20th, at night, the army encamped 
at a small Hiilahee village, about 12 miles from 
Emucktau. On the 2 1st, the army marched in 
a direct line for the bend of the Tallapoosee. — 
In the afternoon, the army halted, and the gen- 
eral determined to encamp for the night, that 
he might have time to reconnoitre, and nuike 
dispositions for alta'-k, if he were in the neigh- 
bourhood of a large force, which, from appear- 
ance, he judged to be the ease. Having chosen 
an eligible scite, the army encamped in a hollow 
square. Spies and pickets were s« nt out, the 
sentinels doubled, and the necessary arrange- 
ments were made to resist an attack, if it should 
be attempted during the night ; or to make one, 
if tlse enemy could be found at day- light the 
following morning. While the army was in this 
state of readiness, the enemy, about six o'clock 
In the morning, commenced a vigorous attack on 
the left fl mk, which was as vigorously met. 'j'he 
action raged for half an hour on the left of the 
rear of ^le army. 

The brave Gen. Coffee, with Col. Sittler, the 
adjutant -general, and Col. Carroll, the inspector- 
general, the moment the firing commenced, 
mounted their horses and repaired to the line, 
encouraging and animating the men to the per- 
formance of their (hiiy, So soon as it became 
liiiiiht enough to pursue, the left wing, having 
sustained tlie heat of the action, and being some- 
^vhat weakened, was leinforeed b^ Captain Fer- 
rill's company of infantry, and was ordered and 
Jed oa the charge by Geiieral Coffee^ ^>ho \^a^ 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 207 

well supported hy Col. Iliggins, and the inspee- 
tor-general, and by all tlic officers and privates 
wlio composed that line. The enemy was com- 
pletely routed at every point, and the friendly 
Indians joinin,;^ in the pursuit, they were chased 
about two miles, with considerable slaughter. 

Gen. Coffee, who was detaelied with 400 men, 
to reconnoitre the enemy's encampment, return- 
ed, with a view to bring up the artillery, which 
he deemed necessary to the attack. In half an 
hour after his return, a considerable force of 
the enemy commenced a fire on a party of men 
who were then in search of Indians. Gen. Cof- 
fee, with only 54- men, a part of 200 who v/ere 
to have acted with him, commenced an attack 
on the left flank of the enemy ; 200 friendly In- 
dians were ordered at the same time to attack 
the enemy's right. At this moment it was dis- 
covered that the attack of the enemy was but a 
feint, having intended, by drawing off the gene*- 
raTs attention from his left, to attack it with 
success : in this the enemy was disappointed, 
Tlic whole line met the approach of the enemy 
with astonishing intrepidity, and having charge 
cd. forced the savages to retreat with precipita- 
tion. They were pursued to a considerable 
distance, and severely galled by a very destruc- 
tive fire. 

nuring this transaction. Gen. Coffee was con- 
tending against a very superior force. As soon 
as possible, a reinforcement was sent to his aid, 
which soon decided I he contest in that quarter : 
the enemy was charged, routed, and pursued for 
three miles. Nothing now remained but to de- 
stroy an empty camp, which did not seemof suf- 
fK-ient importance to delay a return to Fort 
Strother, which was commenced oa the follow- 
ing morning. 



S68 HISTORY or THE WAR. 

On tlie 2ith, as the men 'were crossing the 
Enotrkchopoe treek, an alarm gun announced 
the advance of the enemv. Gen. Jackson ex- 
pected an attack, and luid dispositions made to 
turn it to the disadvantage of the enemj. 1 he 
yight and left columns of the army were direct- 
ed to turn on their pivots, recross the creek 
ahove and hclow, and fall on the enemy's flanks 
and rear. The manoeuvre, if executed, would 
prohahly prove as destructive to the enemy as 
any thing hitherto attempted ; but, at the mo- 
jnent when a few guns were fired, the right and 
]eft columns of the rear guard gave way ; the 
greater part of the centre column followed the 
disastrous example, leaving not more than 25 
anen, who maintained their ground as long as 
spossihle. There was then left to repulse the 
enemy, hut the few who remained in th.e rear 
guard, the artillery company, and Capt. Kussell's 
company of spies. Amidst a most galling fire 
from tlie enemy, this little band, not one-tenth 
of the nunsber opposed to it, advanced to the 
attack. The arliUery and a few others gained 
4he top of a hill, drawing up with them a six 
])ounder, when they poured on the enemy several 
discharges of grape, then charged, repulsed, and 
pursued him for two miles, leaving 26 of their 
warriors dead on the field. The loss in these 
several engagements, was 20 killed and 75 
wounded. The loss of the enemy could not be 
exactly ascertained ; 189 of their warriors were 
found dead ;,this undoubtedly formed but a part 
of the killed ; the wounded must have been pro- 
portionably numerous. 

All the effects intended by this excursion, 
seem to have been produced. If an attack was 
intended against Fort Armstrong, that was pre* 



vHISTQRY OF THE WAR. 209 

vented ; a diversion was made in favour of Gen, 
Floyd, w!io was on the east side of the Talla- 
po; see ; I he number of the enemy was lessened, 
and their conlidt'nce in their leaders broken ia 
on ; the enemy's country was explored, and a 
road cut through an important part of it ; and. 
Oil tiie whole, tended to, and hastened the termi- 
nation of Indian hostilities, as much, if not more^ 
than any previous expedition. 

Hitherto the enemy was engaged either hi 
the opeii field, or in situatitms where he had 
littie advantage from works of art, and not mucK 
from nature. O :e situation remained to be as- 
sailed, where a skiH'uI display of art rendered a 
position, naturally ijtri>ng, so seemingly impreg- 
nable, that it required a grout effi)rt of courage 
to approach it, a coisummate skill to din ct the 
affack, and a persevering, undaunted resolution, 
to prosecute it to success. 

In the bend of the Tallapoosee, t^vo miles be- 
yond where Gen. Jackson engaged the Indians 
on the ^2d January, the savages had fixed on a 
scite for erecting a fortification. Nature fur- 
nished few places more eligible for defence, and 
it was improved by art, wih a skill not discov- 
ered before in an Indian fortification. The bend 
resembles, in its curvature, a horse shoe. Across 
the neck of land, which leads into it from the 
north, a breastwork was erected, of the greatest 
compactness and strength, from b to 8 feet 
high, and prepared with double rows of port- 
holes, very artfully arranged ; an army couhl 
not approach it, without being exposed to a 
double and cross fire from the eneniy, who lay 
in Dcrfect security behind it. Gen. Jackso'i re- 
solved oa the attack of this important and dou- 
l>Jy strong position. The Indian force amouatE*- 
S .^ 



210 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

ed to about, or upwards of 1000 warriors. Tli« 
Jinny approaclied this formidable position on 
the 27th March, near enough to prepare for 
the attack. General Coffee, with (he mounted 
men, and nearly the whole of the Indian force, 
crossed the river about two miles below the en- 
eampment, with a view to prevent the escape of 
the Indians ; the infantry advanced slowly along 
the point of land which led to the front of the 
breastwork; a six and a three pound cannon were 
planted on an eminence, at a distance of 150 to 
^00 yards from it. A fire from rifles was di- 
rected against the enemy, m henever he showed 
liimself beyond his defences. When this fire 
^vas kept up about two houi*s, a party crossed 
over in canoes, and fired a few of the buildings, 
and then advancing boldly up to the breastwork, 
commenced a fire on the enemy behind it. This 
proving insufficient to dislodge him. Gen, Jack- 
son resolved to take it by storm. The troops 
received the order with acclamation, and ad- 
vanced with an ardent and zealous enthusiasm. 
<« Having maintained," says Gen. Jackson, in 
Lis letter to Gov. Blount, '* for a few minutes 
a very obstinate contest, muzzle to muzzle, 
through the port-holes, in which many of the 
<;nemy's balls were welded to the bayonets of 
our muskets, our troops succeeded in gaining 
possession of the opposite side of the works. 
The event could no longer be doubtful. The 
enemy, although many of them fought lo the last 
wth that kind of bravery which desperation in- 
spires, were at length routed and cut to pieces. 
The whole margin of the river which surround- 
ed the peninsula, was strewed with the slain."^^ 
The fighting continued with some severity about 
IvG hours, l^ive hundred aad fifty- seven of tk© 



HISTORY OF THE WAK. 2ll 

eiiemy were left dead on the peninsula, and a 
grvat number were killed in attempting to cross 
the river ; it was supposed (hat not more than 
20 escaped; ^250 women and children were Jakeii 
prisoners. Gen. Jackson's loss amounted to 43 
white men killed ; and 173 wou-ided; 25 friend- 
ly Indians kiUed, and 47 wounded. 

This battle broke down (he spirits, as it ma- 
terially reduced the remaining strength of the 
savages, Wethei^ford surrendered himself to 
Gen. Jackson. Six or seven (owns followed the 
example of this chief. Jll*^;ifen, with 500 of 
his followers rerired to the Escambia river, 
near Pensacola. Pta<?e was quickly restored. 
The militia were disbanded, and returned to 
their homes. 

Wetherford, whose unconditional surrender 
has been just mentioned, had been the most ac- 
tive and sanguinary of all the Indian chiefs. He 
signalized himself in several actions : ever pre- 
sent where danger pressed, he was the constant 
advocate of murder and extermination. In a 
private interview with Gen. Jackson, he deliver- 
ed the following speech : 

*' I fought at Fort Mimms — I fought the Geor- 
gian army — I did you all the injury I could — had I 
been supported as I was promised, I would have 
done you more. But my warriors are all killed — I 
can fight you no longer, I look back with sorrow, 
that 1 have brought destruction on my nation. I 
am now in your power — do with me as you pleaae^ 
I am a soldier." 

The barbarous complexion which the enemy 
gave to the war, was not confined to the em- 
ployment of Indians, We. have already detailed 
barbarities in which Indians did not participatCo 
J^lany others must rejuaio untold j our iimte 



212 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

will not adiiiit of a full detail of this part of the 
subject. The treatment to prison* i*s of war was 
not merefy unusual ; it was. in the hist degree, 
cruel, unpreeedented, barb;irou8. Hie authen- 
ticated proofs, corigt esbional records, aoidavits, 
&e. are shoekingly numerous. 

The exercise, hy Britain, of a presumed right 
to command, at all times, the services of native 
subjects, gave rise to one of I he eau.<es of war, 
to wit, the impressment of seamen out of neutral 
vessels on the high seas. Tiiis princi])le, it was 
intended, should govern the enemy in conduct- 
ing the war. 

The crew of the IJ. S. brig NaTitilus, which 
had been captured in the early part of the war^ 
arrived at Boston in a earlel, the 121 h Septem- 
ber, 1812, except six men, who were put in 
irons ; and were as Lieul. Crane understood, to 
be tried for Iheir lives as Briiish subjects, found 
in arms against their king. Com. Rodgers, on 
learning the circumstance, stopped a cartel 
which had got underway for Halifax, and took 
out twelve Englishmen as hostages for the six 
Americans. 

On the 12tli October, six of the crew of the 
private armed ship Sarah- Ann, which was cap- 
tured and sent to Nassau, were taken out of 
jail, and sent to Jamaica* to be there tried a& 
British subjects, found in arms against their 
king. It appears, that on this occasion, the 
"British officer fell into a mistake* similar to 
those which had been so commonly committed 
before the declaration of war; four of the per- 
sons thus detained were natives of the United- 
States ; the others were Irishmen by birth, but 
had been naturalized citizens of the United 
States. On the arrival ol" Caj,)t» Moou^ (late 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 213 

commander of the Sarah- Ann,) at Charleston, 
13 Englislirnen, inclutling a midshipman, were 
put in close confinement, as hostages tor the six 
irien taken from Capt. Mooj's crew. 

By a letter from Geo. S. Wise, purser of the 
United States' sloop of war Wasp, to the secre- 
tary of ^var, it appears that after the capture 
of that vessel, by the British ship Poictiers. 12 
of the crew of tlie W^asp were detained by Capt, 
Beresford, as British subjects. 

That the enemy intended to deny to others 
the exercise of right in manner as claimed by 
liimsf^lf, is evideiit, from the circumstance of 
the Br'itish Admiral Warren having refused the 
liberation of Thomas Dunn, a native of the U. 
States, because the said Dunn, has been married 
in England^ and had been eight years in his ma- 
jesty's service. The application for his libera- 
tion was made by Mr Mitchell, U. S. agent foF 
the exchange of prisoners at {lalifax, at the 
particuliir request of the father of said Dunn, 
then residing at Boston. 

Twentytiiree of the prisoners, taken by the 
enemy at Queenston. were sent to England, to 
be tried as British subjects, for appearing in 
arms against their king. The United Siiites* 
government ordered 23 British soldiers into 
close confinement, as hostages for the safety of 
those so taken at Queenston. In retaliation, 
the British government ordered 46 United States' 
otBcers and non commissioned officers into close 
and rigorous confinement. 

The system of retaliation, after this circum- 
stance, bore a very serious aspect, and threaten- 
ed to be as extensive as prisoners on either side 
were numerous. 

The secretary of state transmitted to congress 



214 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

on tlie 16<h April. 1814., a ver^ important report 
on tlie subject matter wLich led to the practice 
of retaliation, in whit^h it is fetated, that the Bri- 
tish government, among other pretexts for not 
discharging citizens of the United States im- 
pressed into their service, alledged, that they 
were natives of Prussia, Sweden, &c. thus evinc- 
ing, that the recovery of their own native sub- 
jects, was not the sole motive of impressment. — 
The secretary fui'ther reported, 

« That all the nations of Europe naturalize foreign- 
CM'S : 

*' That they all employ in their service the subjects 
of each other, and frequently against their native 
eountries. even when not regularly naturalized ; 

" That although examples may be found of the 
punishment of their native subjects taken in arms 
against them, the examples are few, and have either 
been marked by peculiar circumstances taken them 
out of tho controverted principle, or have proceeded 
from the passions or policy of the occasion. Even 
in prosecutions and convictions having the latter or- 
igin, the final act of punishment has, with little ex- 
ception, been prevented by a sense of equity and 
dread of retaliation It is confident'y believed that 
no mstance can be found in which the alledged pur- 
poses of the enemy against the 23 prisoners in ques- 
tion, under all the circumstances which belong to 
their case, even though any of them may not have 
been regularly naturalized, are countenanced by the 
procedings of any European nation." 

A publication of which the following is a 
eopy, appeared from the navy department of the 
L^nited States the t28th July, 1814, and was un- 
derstood to be a relinquisliment of the system of 
retaliation, on the part of England and of the 
United States ; the 23 American soldiers, sent 
to England; and ail other Americans held by the 



HISTOUT OF THE WATl. 2(5 

enemy as hostages, having heeii restored to the 
state of ordinary prisoners. 

<'A11 officers, seamen, and marines of the U. *^tates> 
^avy, captured by the tro .ps or vessels within the 
CJintnand of Sir George Prevost, prior to the i5tii 
day of April la-t, hcvebeen duly exchanged, and de- 
cla ed competent to serve against the enemy. Tiiey 
will therefore immediately report themselves to the 
commanding naval officer of the station on which thi y 
are or may arrive.'* 

Tlie lime, when (he armies must lie in winter 
quarters, and the officers hss engaged ihan they 
vouki be at another season, was chosen for th« 
trial of Gen. lUiW. A general lourr martial as- 
se!n!)«t'd for that pu?'pose ni AHiany, the 51 h 
January, >8tii, and proceeded in the trial, from 
time to time, until the Sth March, 

riiree charges were presented against him, 
to wit, treason against the United Slates; cow- 
ardice ; and neglect of dnty and wurfflcer-like 
condnct — to all whicii, he pleaded not u;uilhj, 

I'he general, having protested against the 
eompefency of the com t to tsy the first <ha»ge, 
the court declined making any formal decision on 
it ; hut yet gave an opinioa that nothing appear- 
ed to them which c<»u!d Justify the charge'. 

The court acquitted him of that part of the 
third speciiication which charges him vviiJi hav- 
ing •*forhi:iden the American artillery to fire on 
the enemy, on their march towards the said Fort 
Detioit,*' and found him guilty of the first, se- 
co:kI part of the third, and the fourth specifica- 
tions. 

On the the third charge, the court found ihc ae- 
oused guilty of neglect of duty, in omitting sea- 
sonably to inspect, train, exercise, and order the 
troops under his uomaiaad^ or cause the same to be 



316 llISTORT OF THE ^VAK, 

done. They also found liim guilty of part of tlie 
fourtli and fifth specifications, and the whole of 
the sixth and seventh ; and acquitted him of the 
second and third, and part of the fourth and iirtli 
specifications. 

The court sentenced « the said Brigadier-Gen- 
eral William Hull to be shot to death, two thirds 
of the court concurring in the sentetiee ; but, in 
consideration of his revolutionary services, and 
Lis advanced age, recommended him to the mer- 
cy of the President of the United States." 

The President of the United States approved 
the sentence, remitted the execution, and order- 
ed the name of Geo. Hull to be erased from the 
list of the army. 

The general, in an address to the people of the 
United States, appealed to their decision against 
the verdict and sentence of the court, declaring 
himself innocent, notwithstanding the verdict, 
and charging the government with persecution 
and irjjustice to himself. 

A circumstance of great interest, and which 
might have a great efft ct on the war between 
Great- Britain and the United States, occurred 
in March, 181*. On the 31st of that month, the 
allied armies of Austria, Prussia, and Russia, 
headed by their respective sovereigns, triumph- 
antly entered the French capital, overthrew the 
Bonapartean dvnasty. sent its chief into exile, 
and replaced Louis XVII I. on the throne of his 
ancestors. 

JJiUierto the power of England was divided 
between making war on France and the Uriited 
States of America ; it was to be now entirely 
turned against the latter, at ler.st so the British 
editors threatened. Indeed America would cer- 
tainly be punished, overthrown^ re-&ul\jugated> 



HISTOUT OF THE WAR. ^217 

and enslaved, if the editor's lead could be form- 
ed into balls, instead of tjpes, and these pressed 
into cannon, instead of being pressed on paper. 

The new situation of affairs in Europe, cre- 
ated much alarm, but no despondency in Ameri- 
ca. Tiie citizejis saw the approach of a terrible 
conflict, but they resolved to meet it. The le- 
gions which gained the character of <* invinci- 
ble," in Spain, Portugal, and France, were to be 
vomited on the shores of A*nerica ; the thousand 
ships of Britain were to blockade the coast ; Bri- 
tish tars, without number, were to cover the 
lakes ; and these myriads, by sea and by land, 
w< re to be directed, by these commanders who 
swept the European navies from the ocean, and 
outrivaled the best generals of the iirst warrior 
in (he world. Yet, notwithstanding these exter- 
minating threats and gloomy prospects, Ameri- 
ca was destined to preserve her independence and 
lion^jur ; and to gather more laurels in 1811, 
than s!ie did in any former year of this war. 

In accordance with the views"^- of the war de- 
partment, and a design, the result of a corres- 
j)on<lence between the Secretary of War and 
Gen. Wilkinson, the latter entered Canada, on 

* General Wilkinson's words, in his official state- 
inent, were, ** Pursuant to the desi^-iis communicdted 
to you in my last, and io acco nplish your views." 
Immediat'ly after the publication of the general's 
letter, the loUowing comment appeared in the Na- 
tional Intelligencer : *• We are aufaorised to state, 
that Gen. Wilkinson's late movemt-nt was not pur- 
suant to the views of the war clepaiimrnt. These 
views (or orders) advised him to seize and hold a giv- 
en position t-n Ljke Chaiiiplain, and admonished hin* 
against an incuision into Canada^" 
T 



^iS HISTORY or THE WAS. 

the morning of the 30th March, 1814. The 
issue of thisexpedition wus unfoi'tunate, al(hoiii;!i 
in i(s progress, it did honour to the Anieiie«uB 
engaged. The enemy elaimed a vietorj^, only 
because he was not vanqnislied ; and pretend<'d 
to gather laurels, whih' eiieurnstances eoneui ud 
to render it nearly imposslhJe to attack or drive 
liim from his cowardly strong- holds. 

General Wilkinson, at the head of his division, 
marched from Chaniplain, with the intention of 
reducing the enemy's fortress at the river La 
Cole. Ahout 11 o*clock, he fell in with the ene- 
my at Odell Town, three miles from La Cole> 
and six from St. John's. An attack was com- 
menced hy the enemy on the advance of the army 
under Col. Clark and Major Forsyth. Col. 
Bissel came up with spirit, and the enemy was 
forced to retire with loss. General \'^ ilkinsoo 
took part in this action, and bravely advanced 
into the most dangerous position, declining fre- 
quently the advice of his officers, to retire from 
imminent dariger. The enemy having used his 
congreve reckets. without producing any effect, 
retired to La Cok', whither he was pursued. At 
this place an action was expected ; hut the ene- 
my, whose force, when increased hy a reinforce- 
ment from the Isle au-Noix. amounted (o at least 
2.500 men, mostly regulars, declined meeting the 
American force, although much inferior in num- 
bers and means of warfare. He took possession 
of a hlockfiouse and a stone mill, tlie wall of 
which was so thick, that if could not he hattered 
except by the heaviest artillery. An 18 pound* r 
which was brought IVom (Jhamplain. could not 
be drawn over the had roa«?s, and was left be- 
hind ; a battery of lighter guns was raised within 
300 yards of the mill, but no breach was piacli- 



HtSTOHY OV THE WAR. 219 

©able hy it. Several sorties ^ye^e made by ihe. 
eneiiiy, but they were resisted with bravery and 
success. The cannonade was continued until it 
\v<is fully ascertained that no breach could be 
made ; and that the enemy would not come to an 
en.qagement, when the Americans withdrew to 
Odeil Town, and afterwards to Cliamplain. 

Captain M'Pherson, of the light artillery, 
(military secretary to General Wilkinson) was, at 
his own particular request, placed in command 
of the guns which formed the battery ; he was 
aided by Lieutenants Larrabee and Sheldon. — 
Captain MPherson soon received a wound under 
the chin, which he tied up with his handkerchief^ 
and continued at His piece until a second shot, 
whicli broke his thigh, brought bim to the earth, 
I/arribee had kept bis station until shot through 
the lungs ; and Sheldon kept up the fire until 
ordered to retire. The conduct of every indi- 
viihial attached to the American command, was 
marked by that patriotism and prowess which 
has so often conquered the boasted dicipline, long 
experience, and military tactics of an enemy, who 
dared not to expose his *< invineibles" to the 
disgrace of being d»Teated by a less numerous 
foice of Yankee woodsmen. 

A small quantity of stores, intended for the 
use of the army anil fleet at Sacket's Harbour, 
■were deposited at Fort Oswego ; and a consider- 
able quantity at the falls, 10 miles in the reap 
of the fort. The enemy prepared an expedition 
to seize both. Lieut. Col. Mitchell, of the ar- 
tillery arrived at Oswego on i\\e 30th April, 
1814, for the protection of that place, which he 
found in a very bad state of defence. Of cannon, 
there were but five guns, three of which had lost 
their trunnions. What could be done in the way of 



229 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

repair, was effected ; new platforms were laid, 
the gun carriages put in order, and decavcci pi> k- 
ets replaced. At dajlighl. on the iiK>rniiig of 
5th May, a British naval for( e of four sbips. three 
brigs, and a number of gun am] other boats 
were discovered at about seven nufes fronj the 
fort. The force, at the fort, consisted of 290 
«ftectives. These Mere too few for the purpose 
of defence. It became necessary to disguise this 
weakness, and to keep the entire in one place ; 
for this purpose the tents were pitched on one 
side of the river, and the men were all ordered 
to the other. At one o'clock, 15 large baiges, 
crowded with iisen, moved toward the side op- 
posite that on which the tents were pilched, and 
where there appeared the least show of resis- 
tance. These were preceded by gun-boats, to 
cover the landing. As soon as the boats got 
within the range of shot, a very successful fire 
was opened from the shore battery, which com- 
pelled them to retire twice, when they stood oiF, 
and returned to their ships. Some boats, wKick 
had been deserted, were taken up by the militia^, 
one of the boats was 60 feet long, and could ac- 
<2ommodate 150 men. 

At day bi'eak on the t)th, the fleet again ap- 
proached the fort. Th«' Wolfe, and other ves- 
sels, kept up a fire for three hours against the 
fort and batteries. Col. Mit chill, finding that 
the enemy had landed about 2000 men, withdrew 
his small force into the rear of the fort ; and. 
with two companies, (Homayne and Melvin's) 
met their advancing columns, while the other 
companies engaged the flanks of the enemy — 
With the aid of Lieut. Pierce, of the navy and 
some seamen, the' little American band main- 
tained its ground for half an hour. Col. Milchell 



HISTORY OF TUB WAR. 22t 

tli^n marched his force, but not precipitately, to 
the falls, destroying the bridges in his rear. — - 
Tiie euenij, although cotnnianed by Gen. Drum- 
mond and Com. Yeo, did not think proper to pur- 
sue the colonel. They buraed rhe old barracks^ 
a!>d i^va -uated (lie fort about three o'clock in the 
mortiing of the 7(h. 

Tiie Vmerican loss amounted to six killed, 3S 
wouadi'd, and 25 missing — total 69. Deserters 
fro-n the enemy stated his !oss lo be 70 killed^ 
165 wounded, drowned and missing — total 235. 
Eight pieces of cannon, and some stores, worth 
about 100 <Iollars, fell into the enemy's hands. 

On no occasion, did the Americans deserve 
better of their country ; at no time before, did 
the enemy buy victory with less advantage to 
hi nsdf, or at a dearer price. The companies^ 
undt'r command of Col. Mitchell, eo'fsisted of 
B )yle's. liofnayne's, M'Intire's, and Pierce's, 
heavy artillery, and a few seamen ; in all, less 
than 300 men. Twice they repulsed, and fop 
nearly two days maintained a contest against 
seven times their number, and iijudly succeeded 
in preserving the stores at the falls, the loss of 
which would materially imptdc the operations 
of the army and navy. The enemy carried off 
60 of the unarmed inhabitants of the village, 
who were stated in the British report? as so ma- 
ny prisoners. 

On the 30th May, Capt. Woolsey, of thenavy^ 
being on his return from ObWi.go, with 18 boats, 
carrying a number of cannon, and a quantity of 
rigging for the new vessels at Saekett's Harbour^, 
put into Sandy Creek, about 16 miles from the 
Harbour. Fearing an attack from the enemy ;> 
^lajor Apling was placed, with 120 riQemcn, ami: 
^.fevv of the Oiieidii Indians, in tJ)e ifyocds, ^m 



222 IIISTOKT 0? THE WA]^» 

each side of the creek; a few raw militia were 
sent forward to make a show of resistance. Tiie 
plan succeeded ; the militia, on the first fire from 
the enemy, retreated in apparent confusion, and 
"were pursued until the entire passed the riflenieis 
and Indians, who were in amhush. 'J'he enemy 
was attacked in rear, while a hattery of 4- field 
pieces opened on him in front. The contest was 
not of long duration. After ten minutes fightings 
the enemy surrendered, Iheentmy lost 2 jmst- 
captains, 4 lieutenants, of the royal navy, jirsson- 
ers ; 2 lieutenants of marines, wounded and pri- 
soners; one midshipman, and 13 sailors and ma- 
pints, killed; 28 sailors and marines wounded, 
and 13.S sailors and marines, prisoners — total 183, 
2 gun-boats and 5 barges were taken. Oul^ one 
American was wounded. 

On the 15th of May, the enemy landed several 
liundred men at Pultneyvilie, (which is on the 
margin of Lake Ontario.) and took possession of 
100 barrels damaged tlour, which were in a store 
eloselythe lake. Gen. Swift, on hearing of the 
advance of the enemy, reached Pultneyvilie with 
about 130 volunteers and militia; but, deennng 
this force too small to oppose a numerous enemy, 
within a range of the guns of hisileet* he did not 
dispute the possession of the da'jiaged Hour; but 
finding the enemy proceeding to olher depreda- 
tions, he com minced a fire on him from an adja- 
eent wood, which wounded several andcompelhd 
him to re-embark, when a cannonade commenced 
Jfrom the fleet on the town, wiihout doing male- 
yial injury. A large quantity of ft<'ur was depo» 
sited about a mile from (he town, which the en- 
emy chose to forego the plunder of. rather than?, 
trust himself in the woods with Gen. Swift ancl. 
Ms rilcEueH, 



fiisraitT <yv the war. 225 

In thU !nont]i, Col. Campbell, (19(11 infantry) 
with a detuch:nrat of /» oi* 600 men. a ;d som<? 
seamen actinj; as artillerists, crossed from Krie 
to Lon.^;- Poi.it. About ^0 Britisli dragoons sta- 
tioned there as an out-i)ost and jj;uard to public 
stores, made their eseape. The mills employed 
in manufacturing flour for tbe enemy, and some 
houses occupied as stores, were burned; whea 
the party returned, without losing a man. 

The following transaction wi<h the enemy's 
fleet on Lake Champlain, wili be best explained 
bv giving the following extract of a letter from 
M'Jor General Izard commanding ihe first, or 
divisan of the right, dated at his head-quarters. 
May 17. 

" On receiving notice of the enemy's proceeding 
up the Idke on the 1 3th lost, a detachment of light 
artillery, under the command of Tapt. Thornton, of 
that corps, was despatched in waggons from Burling- 
ton to Vergennes, where they manned the battery at 
the mouth of Otter Creek. At day-break, (on the 
14th) the enemy attacked wifh his whole force, and 
aft r a severe cannonade of two hours and a half, 
during which they suffered very considerably, they 
withdrew to repair damages. Yesterd;iy they de- 
par ed this place, having some of their vessels in 
tow, and are go-ie to their own ports. Two of their 
galleys are said to be missing. No damage was done 
on our side, excepting dismou ting one gun in the 
battery, by which tv/o men were slighily wounded." 

Tfie Cheaspeake iVay was likely, and po%ed, 
to continue a theatie of the en-rny's depreda- 
tions. A. number of boats, carrying heavy n^e- 
taf, were cons'ru«'ted in March, 181 lb, on the 
eastern shore of Maryland, for the protection of 
^e bay, and the commaad of them given to that 



^2% HISTORY OP THE WAB. 

intrepid officer, Commodore Barney. This flo- 
tilia proved a great annovance to the enemy, 
"^vas an object ofliis constant attention, and was 
finally desitroyed, as will be hereai'ter particular- 
ly de( ailed. 

The enemy had a skirmish on the 29th May, 
with the Accoau^ek militia, which reflected the 
highest honour on the latter. Between 6 and 7 
o'clock in the morning, the enemy entered the 
Pamgoteaque creek. They were at first most 
gallantly met by 2d Lieut. Underhill, of the ar- 
tillery, and 6 or 7 men, who stood the tire of 
their 18 pounders, grape, musketry and congreve 
rockets, then within 60 yards, when Lieut. Un- 
derhill, finding all further resistance utterly- 
useless, and not having a sufiicieiLt force lo re- 
move (he artillery, caused it to be spiked, and 
retreated. The piece fell into the hands of the 
enemv, who also destroyed some tritting build- 
ings, which had been occupied as barracks. — > 
Finding no resistance from the point vvijicU 
Lieut. Undei'hiU had occupied, they coionunud 
their landing, a ul in a few minutes had fro!n 4. 
to 500 men, iOO of whom were negroes, all vveii 
armed, formed, and advan/ing froui the shore, 
the negroes in front. From the place of thrir- 
landing, they raari^-hed about three quarters of a 
mile into the country, where they were met by a 
party of militia, not nmre than 25 in number,— 
Hiis little band stood for two hours, the whole 
force of the en«'my. At this time the militia be- 
gan to collect, which the enemy perceiving, re- 
treated to his ships, and thus escaped being ei- 
ther killed or taken prisoners. During theig^ 
stay on land, the enemy committed several petty? 
robberies and shameful excesses, carrying awaj 
^coB, i)oullry^ clothes^ ^f^ 



HISTORY o:e the war. 22^ 

Commod ore Barney go< iin<lrr way on the 1st 
June, wi(ii hh llotilla, in (he Pamxent, wiih the 
iiflenlion (o en.^ai^e, or chase away the enemy. 
On ai>j)roaching; (hem, he discoverecl two sehoon- 
ers. one a full ri^j^ed, showing nine porls on a 
side. When off St. Jerome's, he diseovered a 
large ship under way, and that she had desj>iitch- 
ed a number ol' boats to the aid of tlie schooners. 
The wind having veered so as to prove unfavour- 
able to the llotilla, tlie eommodore made signal 
for the Patuxent, and was followed by a 7i, tliree 
schooners, and seven barges. After doubling 
roaad Cedar- Point, in the month of the river, he 
fonad that gun boat No. J 37, was so far astern, 
that she must be taken, or saved by an engage- 
ment. The c0;nmodore brought the Scorpion 
and gun-boat No. loS, to anchor, sent men on 
board the boat f 37, to row and tow her in, and 
signaled his other vessels to return and Join him. 
The Scorpion, and boat liS> opened a fire on a 
large schooner, and a number of barges Avhich 
had got ahead of the boat 137. The commo- 
dore's barges, at this time, had returned, and, 
rowing down on the enemy, gave them a number 
of shots, and then reJurn 'd into port wilii all the 
flotilla. This bold exploit did great honour ta 
Barney and his crews. 

The enemy land-d at Cedar- Point, in tlie even- 
ing of the 4th June, and carried off several ne- 
groes, and considerable stock from the planta- 
tion of Mr. Sewal. 

The enemy's squadron, being reinforced by a 
razee and sloop of war, the commodore moved 
his flotilla up to the mouth of St. li«onard's 
creek. At five, p. m. Ujc 8th June, he perceived 
a ship, a briiij* two sehoon»'is and 15 barges.com- 
iflg up the rutuscut; whereon the couiiuodort* 



,^6' HISTORY OF THE >VAB. 

inoved his flotilla abour two miles up llie creek, 
and there moored I him in line ubreast, across 
the channel, and prepared ibr action. At eight 
A. M. the enemy's baiges came up the creek, the 
ship. &c. were an«i»ored at the nnuih of the 
creek ; a rocket hargc was advanced on tlie flo- 
tilla. At thiis time the commodore gyl his- bar- 
ges (13 in number) under wa.>, leaving the Scor- 
pion and gun bowls at anchor, and rowed down 
upon the enen \, whenth(\y precij»itately sailed 
and ro\\ed off, wiih all their meauh. The com- 
modore pursued fhem. unfii near iheir shipping, 
when his barg( s were !>! ought back to (heir 
luoorings. In the afternoon t)ie enemy came up 
the creek ag-siu. threw some rockets, and were 
again pursued, and driven out oF the creek by 
tiie flotilla. 

The situation ofCommodoie Barney, and his 
flotilla, in 8t. Leonard's creek, was really un- 
pleasant and critical, lie was, however, reliev- 
ed. by a bold and successful attack on the enemy 
on the Uforning of the 26th June. 

The following is a copy of Commodore Bar- 
ney's report, to the Secretary of the navy : 

tiSir — This moininp: at 4, A. M. a combined at- 
tack of 'he artillery, marine corps and flotilla, was 
niade upon the enemy's two frigates at the mouth of 
the creek. After two houss engagement, they got 
under \v xy and m.ide sail down the river. They are 
now warping rourd Point P.itience, and J am moving 
up the Patuxent with my flotilla. My loss is acting* 
midshipman Asquuh, killed and ten others, killed 
and wounded. With respect, &c. 

JOSHUA BARNEY." 

Tn .Tune, the enemy landed about 400 n«en. and 
burned the tobacco warehouses, at Lower ^arl- 
feorough^ and Magruder's fciry, and also Cole's 



HISTORY OF THE WVT?* 22^ 

warelioiise. It is iiiipossil>l(^, in onr present 
limits, (o detail every [)vi\y and svanion a t ofun 
unprini ipied and mean enem^ ; wiieiv he eouid 
remove the phmdered properj v. h.* femoved ii ; 
what he couid not remove he destroyed. la 
Calvert, near flower Ma ll)oiough, fiie^ toived 
away with them so:ne ni^j^roes ; also to.»k some 
oattle and pouiiry. 

A person wiio repaired to the scene of d<'pre- 
d ition, after the enemy had retired, wrote to his 
friend in Baltimore, •• It wouhl have distressed 
you to see the tobacco at M vf;;rui!evN, b-irninj^, 
as 1 did, this evening;. Ei-veti himir d lio^s- 
hends^ nearly ail coiisiiuied, antl ahoni fo a;' iiun- 
dred at Lower Marilior.ni^h. wht'e they took a 
seiiooner (Capt. DavidV) and loatL-d her." 

The enemy perfonnrd o!ie exploit, wijieh. if 
not tarnished by th^- barb;i!*(His use he made of 
conquest, would have left hiiii oris instance of 
victory nol \r tty. 

The enemy appeared in i^rea* fovc> in tfie 
Chesapeake, about rUe sniddle of \o,ii;ust, 1814. 
l^lore than 50 oT his vtsscls entered tite Patux- 
ent, and landei about 5099 troops a'ld marines, 
chiefiv a])Oiir iJenedict, 40 miles s').r iieist oTj »e 
city of Wii-ilii,i^to!i. The fore^, at t!ie d sp.i^i- 
lion of Gen. Wind'*-, wh > ha.l [><'en appoifHed ro 
the eojtimand of < his distri-t. wis uofortufiately 
iiiadecjuate to defeiul t)ie citv. and it f'll into < le 
power of the enemy. Die em ire force ofevcs'y 
description whicli eould be eoTe ted toojp/se 
the enemy, did not exceed hOOO men ; thes *, 
Itovvever. would have been suiTieie.it fo the pu - 
po^e. iiad tiiey al! a ted vviih equal firmn* s, 
or these several hundreds arrived aHer the b t- 
tie commenced, and nja*iy A'ivv <Se eir t bad 
been ordered. Tlie force actuaiiy CHt^.^^cd, \va« 
less than ;^000. 



^2S mSTOU? OF THE WAK. 

Oa ihc 20tb, Col. Munroe, who proceeded i\\e 
previous dkij, with Col^fnel Thorntoivs trooji of 
lioi'se, to reeonnoi(re the cneni^, reported that 
the enemy had landed in force, (/apis. Ci»Idvvell 
and I'il^hmaos, with (heireommands of cavalry, 
"Were sent in the afterno'm of this daj to annoy 
the enemy in advance, and remove such sup- 
plies of provisions as lay in his route. On the 
23d, tis8 Bsifish Hunkers approached the wood^ 
yard, i2niiK^s from (he city, where Gen. Winder, 
wiJh his inain body, was posted. — 'I he line of 
baitle was formed hy the American troops, but 
the eiie iiy filfd off to the left. At nine O'cJock, 
Comiiiodore Barney caused his flotilla to be de- 
stroved, and he proc<'eded with his men to take 
post in f ont of ihe enerisy. 

Oa the evenin,^ of the 2-.d, General Winder's 
head quarters were af BattaUon Fields^ within 
eignt uiiles of the ii«y, and a short distance from 
Bladeifsburg. At one o'clock on the 2ith, the 
army was p; sted 051 the right of liladensburg, 
about half a mile distant from the village. 'J he 
artillery, from BaJlimore, supported by Major 
Pinckney*s ride baUalion, and a part of Capiain 
Doughty*s, from the navy vaid, were in advance, 
to command ilse pass of the bridge i.t Bladens- 
burg. ?^oon afjer one o'clock, the e!jem;y appear- 
ed, advancing toward the hi idu;e over the east- 
ern branch. When they reached the bridge, 
■which they did in solid eolujon, the artillery 
opened a warm fire on the m, and t lie rideujcn, 
and a reginicnt (sf miiiria, were s< on engaged. 
Before tW';> o'clock 5 he enemy advanced so close 
on Uie BalUnjore vo!r»nteers. so as t> foi ce them 
to reti'cut, bringing with them their artilhry 
and arms. excej>t ne imve, which vas lost by 
tfae unruliriess of the horses. The retreat was ' 



HISTORY »E THE WAR^ 22f 

«st the eifcct of cowardice, for ro men couL! 
behave with more honour to themselves. Whi!6 
they fought, they made a galling impression on 
the enemy, and when forced to yield before 
numbers vastly superior, they would, no doubt, 
liave yet sought a place from which to triumph 
in a contest so handsomely began, but they were 
not properly supported. The right and centre 
of Stansbury's brigade, consisting of Lieutenant 
Colonel Ragan and Shuler's regiments, gene- 
rally gave way, and fied in disorder, nor could 
they be rallied, with the exception of about 40 
men, and a part of Captain Shower's company, 
both oT whom, even thus deserted, made a gal- 
lant but ineffectual stand. Col. Ragan, in his 
great efforts to rally his men, was wounded 
and taken prisoner. The .^th Baltimore regi- 
ment, under Lieut. Col, Sterrett, being the left 
of Gen. Stans!)ury*s brigade, slill stood theip 
ground, and, except for a moment, when part of 
Ihem recoiled a few steps, remained firm until 
ordered to retreat. 

The reserve, under General Smith, of the 
District of Columbia, with the miHtia, of the 
eity and Georgetown, with tlie regulars, and some 
detachments of ft'Saryland militia, iianked on 
their right by Com. Barney and his men, and 
Col. Beal. maintained the contest with great ef- 
fect, until overpowered by numbers. Barney 
and his gallant men had just gained the ground 
from a station near the navy yard, and opened 
from three 18 pounders a fjre, uhich for the 
time it lasted, and considering the means, was 
perhaps the most destructive and active that 
has ever been experienced. The brave Harney 
fell severely wounded, into the hands of the 
enemy. His men fought* under his orders, un- 



230 msTORT OIF THE WAR, 

ii] the enemy reached nearly to t}»e muzzle of 
the guns; nor die! they retire until oi'dtrt'd to do 
so, after every hope of victory vanishtd. The 
t^nemy treated the Commodore with that eourte- 
sy and altentiou, which his splended merit ton Id 
not fail to inspire. 

'Vhe hattle hein,^ now over, after eontiruing 
moie than an hour, Gen. Ross who eommandKl 
the hind force, and Admiral Cockhurn, who com- 
manded the seamen and marines, entered the 
city with a part of their forces. And now be- 
gan a scene, which, in ttie opinion even of a sa- 
vage, would disi^race the characters while livin^j^, 
and, after death, consign to eteinai infamy, the 
liames of these two commanders. Never will 
barbarism and the fate of Washington he coup-* d 
in liislory, without being accompanied by the 
names of Ross and Coekbuin. Tl»e desti uction 
of private pioperiy would be in character wi*li 
the cond'ict which disgraced (he British arujs in 
the Cliesapeake and elsewhere. 'J he trium|)h- 
ant entry of the marauders into the capiiaf of 
an infant republic, gave them an oppoituJilty 
of proving tlie respect in which they held the 
arts, sciences, and literature. <*l!jey." to use 
the words of President I\JadisoD's pioc?ama- 
tion, <* wantonly destroyed the Public edifices. 
Laving no relation in their structure to epe- 
raiions of war, nor used at any time for nili- 
tary aunoyajjce ; some of these ediiict s being 
al:^o costly monuments of taste and of tliearts, 
and others, depositories of the public arcJiievcs, 
not only precious to the nation, as the memori- 
als of its origin, and its early transactions. I>ut 
interesting U) nil nations, as contributions to ihe 
gcn< ral sUfck of historical inst action v»n(S poli- 
ti«mi science.'^ >Vilh the juibiic buildings, the 



IlISTOHY OF THE WAE. 2o^ 

national libpai-j was (lest rojcd. Cookhiirn at- 
tend (I, in person, to the destruction of tlie {>rint- 
iii,^ niatei'iais, in the ofjL'c of the [National Iniel- 
Jigcneer. A few private huihiiii^s were burned. 
'I'he navy-jHi'd, with all its shippiij^ urn] stores, 
including a new frigate and siooj) ofwai*, wei-e 
dess'oyed, pi*evioiis to its oceupatio<i l>v ilie enc- 
nn, 'J'he British arnij retired iii the night of 
the 25th, in prudent hurry, and willi studied si- 
lence, ieavi.jg several of tlieir wounded behind, 
and some of their dead unburied. Vue Ameri- 
can loss was stated by General Winder, to be be- 
tween 30 and 40 killed, from 50 to 60 wouddcd, 
and al)out 120 taken prisoners. '• FYom t!ie best 
intelligence," says tiic general, *• there reinains 
but little doubt, that the enemy lo^t, at least, 
400 killed and wounded, and of these, a very ua- 
tisual portion killed." 

Fort VVarburton having been deserted by the 
XJ. S. troops, commanded by Captain Dy xon, 
and eonsequentl^ destroyed by the enemy, tlie 
Jatter advanced towards x\Iexandria, the civil 
authority of which, subtnitted to the most dis- 
graceful terms of capitulation, by which the city 
was given up to plunder. 'J^he enemy carried oft' 
14 vessels, laden with flour, tobacco, cotton, 
groceries, and a variety of goods, taken from 
the private stores. 

A series of the most daring exertions were 
made by commodores Rogers, Porter and Per- 
ry, with their seamen, and some of tlie Yirgijiia 
iDilitia, to prevent the escape of the enemy with 
liis booty, but he got off, with some loss, taking 
the plunder with him. Terms, sintilar to thoso 
accepted by Alexandria, w»M*M)ff<^j'ed to George- 
town, which the latter indignantly rejected, an^V 
©scaped being plimdered. 



1:3^ HISTORY OF THE WAS* 

The encm}^ attempted to justify bis predatoi'^ 
warfare in the Chesapeake, and elsewhere, by 
professing, that he acted in retaliation of exces- 
ses, said by him, to have been committed by 
the armies of the United States, in Canadar— 
^f)thint!:, hoAvever, could be farther from truth. 
The conduct of the republican armies could, by 
no fair construction, justify the barbarities of 
the enemy, and it is well known, that the rob- 
bei'ies and destruction, of private property and 
buildings, particularly in the vicinity of the 
Ohesapetike, and its tributary streams, had, i» 
BKinyinslanees, preceded those said to have beea 
committed by the Americans. 

The enemy, probably emboldened by his sw^- 
jCcss at ^Vasiiiogtoo, projected a decent on, and 
of course, the plundering and burning of the city 
of Baltimore. The movements of the enemy 
having led to suspicion of his design. General 
Samuel Smith, the revolutionary hero and de- 
lender of Mud-Fort, made some early disposi- 
tions to repel an invasion, if such should be at-^ 
tempted. 

Gen. Striker was detached, on the evening of 
the 11th September, with a portion of his bii- 
gade, on the ]>iorth-point road. M^jjor Kandal, 
of the Baltimore county militia, having under 
iiis command, alight corps of riHemen, and mus- 
Ivctry. taken from General Stansbury's hrigade, 
aad the Pennsylvania volunteers, was detached 
to the r.ioutfi of Beae-creek, with osders to co- 
opeiate with t^en. Striker, and to check any 
landing which the enemy might attempt in that 
4]uarter. 

On Monday, the 12th, the en^^niy landed he- 
tween SOOO and 9000 men, at North-p-'u^it, i^ 
liiiles from BHltiiiiore, the land forte under «oii!» 



histohy of the war, St&Q 

iwandoPGen. Ross, the seamen under Admiral 
Cociiburti. (len. Striker luul, that morning, 
taken a i^iunl positio^i at the junction of the 
P0i?ds, <eadins;^ IV-um Ballimore to the North- 
poinU having his right flanked b^ the Boar-creek, 
and his lel'l by a marsh. Flere he waited (he 
approach ot* the enem;^, having sent on an ad- 
vance corps, under the command of MaJ. Heath, 
of the bih regiment. ♦* This advance," says" 
Gen. Smith, in his report, *• met the enemy* and 
after some skirmishing, it returned to the linc^ 
the main body of the enemy being at a short 
distance in the rear of their advance. Between 
2 and 3 o'clock, the enemy's whole force came 
up and commenced the battle, by some dischar- 
ges of rockets, whieh were succeeded by the 
cannon from both sides, and soon after the ac- 
tion became general along the line. Gen. Strik- 
er gallantly maintained his ground against a 
great superiority of numbers, during the space 
of an hour and twenty minutes, when the regi- 
ment on his left (tht' 3Jst) giving way, he wa^^ 
under the necessity of retiring to the ground in 
his rear, where he had statione<l one regiment 
as a reserve. Me here formed his brigade ; but 
the enemy not thinking it advisable to pursue, 
he, in eomplianee with arrangeujents, fell back, 
and took post on the 'eft of my entrenchments, 
and half a mile in advance of them." 

rhe following extracts, from Gen. Smith's 
rejmrt, vvilJ best explain the further movements 
of tht' respective aiirjics. 

'' About the time Gen. Striker had taken the 
ground just mentioned, he was joined by Brit^. Gen. 
Winder who had been stationed on the west side of 
th^ city, but was now ordered to march with Gen. 
Douglas's brigadvi of Viii^iniu militia, and the U.S.*. 
4i-ugoon5, under Capt. Bird, and take post on the lefSi 



tS^ HISTOUy OF THB WAB. 

of General Striker. Durinj^ these movements, the 
brigades of Generals Stansbury and Foreman, the 
seamen and marines under Com. Rodgers, the Penn- 
sylvania volunteers, under Cols. Cobean and Find- 
ley, the Baltimore artillery, under Col. Harris, and 
Ihe maritiine artillery u;jder Captain Stiles, man- 
jied the trenches Jind the batteries — all prepared to 
receive the enemy. We remained in this situation 
during the night. 

" On Tuesday, the enemy appeared in front of 
my entrenchments, at the distance of two miles, on 
the Philadelphia road, from whence he had a full 
Tiew of our position. He manoeuvred during the 
7norning towards our left, as if with the intention 
of making a circuitous march, and coming down on 
the Harford or York roads. Generals Winder and 
Striker were ordered to adapt tlieir movements to 
those of the enemy, so as to bailie this supposed in- 
tention. They executed this order with great skill, 
■and judgmont, by taking an advantageous position, 
'Stretching from my left across the country, when the 
^onemy was likely to approach the quarter he seem- 
ed to threaten. This movement induced the en- 
^my to concentrate his forces (betvirecn one and two 
•o'clock,) in my front, pushing liis advance to within 
•a mile of us, driving in our videttes, and showinj; aa 
intention of attacking us rhat evening I immediate- 
ly drew Gens. Winder and Striker nearer to the left 
«f my entrenchments, and to the right of the enemy) 
«Si'ith the intention of their fulling on his right or 
rear, should he attack me ; or if he declined it, of 
^attaekir.g him in the morning. To this movement, 
amd to the strength of my defence, which the enemy 
liad the faire&t opportunity of observing, I am in- 
duced to attribute his retreat, which was commenced. 
4it half-past one o'clock on Wednesday morning. la 
iihis he was so favoured by the extreme daikness, 
sand a continued rain, that we did not discover it until' 
^ay -light. 

" I nave now the pleasure of calling your atten- 
'U«ft fe? tlie bijiYe conamiiiidttP ©4 Fort M*iienry, JVJajv 



HISTORY OF THE >VAK. 25B' 

Aimistead, and to the operations confined to that 
quarter. The enemy made his approach by water' 
at the sa.Tie time that his urmy was advancing on 
the land, and commenced a discharge of bombs aiid 
rockets at the ibrt^ as soon as he got within range 
of it. The situation of Major Armistead was pecu- 
liarly trying — the eneray, having taken his position 
such a distance^ as to render offensive operations on 
the part of the fort entirely fruitless, whilst their 
bombs and rockrts were every moment falling in 
and about it — tho officers and men, at the same time 
entirely exposed. The vessels, however, had the 
tem< rity to approach somewhat nearer — they were 
as soon compelled to withdraw. During the night, 
wh.ilst the enemy on land was retreating, and whilst 
the bombardment was most severe, two or three 
rocket vessels and barges succeeded in getting up 
the Ferry Branch, but they were soon compelled to 
Vetire, by the forts in that quarter, commanded by 
LvHU. Newcomb, of the navy, and Lieut. Webster, of 
the flotilia. These forts also destroyed one of the 
barges, with all on board. The barges and battery 
at the Lazaretto, under the command of Lieut Rutter^ 
of the flotilla, kept up a brisk, and it is believed, a 
successful fire, during the hottest period of the bom^ 
bardment.'** 

it M^as impossible for veterans, or the most ex- 
pericnwd troops, to act wiJh more firm disei- 
pline, or cool courage, than the citizens of 15al- 
titiiore, and the troops engu|;od, did, on this oc- 
casion, with the exception af ready mentioned. 
A pursuit of the enemj was attempted, without, 
however, doinpj him nuich injury. The lroop& 
were so exhausted, wiUi three da;;r's and niglit's 
fatigue, that ihey could do litlle more than pick 
up a few sii'ag^lers. A liue of defences thrown 
up Uy the \merieans from Black River to Hum- 
pin ies* Creek, on (he l*atapseo, were used by tkf 
oueui^ to protvct liis embarkatioa. 



aS6 HISTORY OF THE WAS, 

As a measure necessary to the taking of Bai- 
timoi'e, Admiral (Jockbuni sent, what he reiiec! 
on as a competent force to take Fort M'tlenry, 
sitir<Ue(l on a point of lan(} about two miles from 
the city. The enemy's vessels were rani^ed on 
the 12th, at a respeclable distaneei in front of 
the works. At an eariy hour, on the l^iSth, six 
bomb, afsd some rocket vessels commenced the 
attack, but at such a distance as to have little 
effect. A vast many very heiivy bombs and 
rockets were thrown from the shipping;, and an- 
swered pro forma frooi the fort, tiie Lazaretto, 
battery, and barges. This noisy play lasted un- 
til near 3 p. m. when the enemy dropped nearer 
the battery. The firing now became more fre- 
quent, and soon became tremendous; but the en- 
emy finding that the men in the fort could hit as- 
well as tire, soon slipped their cables, and drew 
oflTto their formrr distance, from which they 
eontimied the bombardment. 

Favoured by a dark night, one or two of the 
enemy's bomb vessels, and several barges, with 
1200 chosen men, passed the Fort at about one 
o'clock in the morning of the l*(h, and pro- 
ccfr-ded up to the Patapsco, to attavk the town ia 
the rear, and probably with a view to eftect a 
landing. From their new station, they com- 
menced a very warm throvririg of b^mbs aad 
rockets, but were repaid with such rigour and 
effi'ct. that the sci-ams of their wounded could 
be heared u\ the midst of a roar of arms, thafe 
made the hofises in the city shake, for nearly 
an hour and a half. About three o'clock the en- 
emy s'cfirf^d, much crippied. to his fornser re- 
spe«'tful distance, when he again commenced tho 
bor.sbai'ddient, and continued it unfii day-light, 
1KM;a h€ jSinally withdrew* The entire duralioiB' 



HISTORY OF THE WAU. 237 

•rdie bombardment was liiMc short of '^i^ hours^ 
The loss of the enemy, on board his vessels, eaiN 
not be ascertained, but was undoubtedly great ; 
that in Vovi M*Jlenry was astonishingly small, 
eonsisfing of four killed, and about 20 wounded. 
Major Armistead conmianded the fort. A party 
of Com. Uodger's crew was posted at Fort Cov- 
ijigfon ; Barney's iiotilla men were stationed at 
the eity battery. 

The enemy's retreat was attended with mor- 
tification and disappointment. Gen. Ross, the 
destroyer of Washington, was killed ; and, at 
least 800 men, killed, wounded, and missing. — 
The entire American loss did not exceed 20 kill- 
ed* 90 wGiiuded, aim 47 niisshjg. 

The enemy was at Chaptieo in October. The 
following particulars of the excesses committed 
at that plaoe appeared in the Alexandria Her- 
ald, signed Robert Wright. 

" I passed through Chaptieo shortly after the ene- 
Hiy left it, and I am sorry to say, that their conduct 
would have disgraced Cannibals ; the houses were 
torn to pieces, the well which afforded water for the 
inhabitants, v/ere filled up, and, what is still worse^ 
the church, and the ashes of the dead, shared e- 
qually bad or worse fate. Will you believe me, when 
I tell you that the sunken graves were converted 
into barbacuf holes ! ! ! The remaining glass of the 
church windows broken, the communion table used 
as a dinner table^ and then broken to pieces I ^ Bad 
as the above may appear, it dwindles into insignifi- 
cance, when compared with what follows : the vault 
was entered, and the remains of the dead disturbed. 
Yes, my friend, the winding sheet was torn from 
the body of a Indy of the first respectability, and UiQ^ 
whole contents of the vault entirely deyai^ged I \ ^H 



2S8 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

Soon after leaving Chaptico, tlie enemy visit- 
ed St. Inigoes, in St. Mark's countv, Ma!\\hincl. 
T iiis was the habitation of a niissionar^v, and 
tl»e soJte of a lionvan Calholic chnieh. ^iothing 
couid he exprctecl but (he turnitnre of the juiest, 
ami plate of the chni-eh. Both were taken, 
li'athi^r-bsMSs, siieels, blankets, curtains, spoons, 
knives, Ank*^, ke. were taken awa^y <>** desuoy- 
ed ; tile sacred vestuKnts were thrown ahout, 
tije vessel;?, eonaeeraled {o the service of (iod, 
prophaned, the aitar stript naked, the taber- 
nai h» carried oiE ai>d the blessed sacra n»ent 
borne away in tiie bands of those sacrilei^ious 
wretcbes. Some few articles were restored at 
tlie iustance of the British oificer, who would 
probably wish to see the entire restored, bnt 
lie could not c oiniujujd them ; ** they are," said 
he, *< a set of rnlfiBns," Some other articles, 
belonging; to the church, were restored in a few 
days afterwards. 

The following circumstance proves liow dear- 
ly the enemy gains a victory, when opposed by a 
force, however small. 

On the eveniog of the 5tb November, Captain 
Gordon, naval comiiiander at Norfolk, despatch- 
ed two tenders, and four boats, off Black River, 
lor the purpose of conveving several crafts, then 
lying in that river, and bound to Norfolk. The 
"vessels, were, unforrunateiy, separated during 
the night ; the boats, owing to a rough sea, re- 
turned to Norfolk. The two tenders, Franklin 
and [Jespntch. were separated fsom each other. 

The commander of the Oespatclt, finding, in 
tbe morning, that he bad drifted in a calm, 
near the enem-y's ships in Lynnhaven, and iliat 
they were manning their boats, to attack him, 
^^de signal to tlie Franklin^ aad the boats ly- 



m,- 



HtSTeUT OF THE WAR. ^5f 

Tng under Old Point. The boats joined the 
Dcspatcli ; and ihe enemy's boi.ts ailcr ox- 
clianj^inji; a tew shots, and a breeze having sprui:g 
Uj>, gave over the chase, and dire' ted their at- 
tention lo the Franklin that la^ neailj becalmed 
up the hay, i'tjeenejo} came up with the Frank- 
lin, ahoul to, A. M. when the tiring' GOinnienoed, 
l)ui*ing one hour and a half, the Franklin's 
crew, ionsisTin,i; of Mr. Hiimniersley. n^asler's 
mate, who coainmnded ; one niidsliiprnan, (>lr. 
Cook ;) two umsier*s mates and pilots, and 31 
jiii^n, mamiained a gallant defence acruinst a ten- 
der usid lb ()4fges and boats of the enf'ni^. The 
tender iimt two lieavy launches, nmde several 
aUeai )t*» to hoard, hut weiv as often bealen off*. 
A( iea^ h* at half ii.tst 11, the Franklin was car- 
ri^'tl, b^'inj; boi. ded at the same moment by the 
crews <»f five Ilea vy boats. 

The peace in En'ope havinj^ reUeved the 
shi[)5 and seamen of S^iingland from any other 
cn.:^aj;enien<; except the \var against tlse United 
St lies, it was supp )se(l. ihat an American ship, 
would not dare longer (o venture on the ocean, 
or sail on the lakes. Every American jiort was 
to be blockaded, every sea port (own to be burn- 
ed or destroyed ; the fratnes of frigates were to 
be transport<'d from Fngland, and suddenly put 
tiygether, and launciied on the lakes. The vio- 
lent threats were heard, the expected legions 
looked for, witii a coolness, on the part of the 
Americans, which evinced courage ; [)ut with a 
preparation that evinced a detcrojination to ile- 
iernl their liomes, their families, their country, 
and iiberfy. 

Two arme<l lanncltes a':d four barges oftl-e 
enemy carrying about Z:ZO men, entered Connec- 



gii lilSTOKT OP THE IliAU. 

ticut river, in the evening of the 7th April, and 
arrived at PettipaijgPoinf, about four o'clock in 
the morrting of the 8th. It was quite a surprise 
on the few inhabitants, who had no means of re- 
sistance. The J immediately landed and burned 
all the vessels at the wharves, and on the stocks, 
except a brig, a schooner, and two sloops, which 
they carried down the river, on their rething, 
after 10 o'clock ; but the wind shifting, they 
burned all except the schooner, and hot being 
able to proceed, they came to anchor a short 
distance below Pettipaug, where they lay until 
night, then burned the schooner, and departed, 
without interruption, or any attempt to annoy 
them, except that a few guns were fired on them 
aft'-r tiiey had passed the nisnsth of the river, to 
whiclithey returned three cheers, and passed off. 

During the 81h, the militia collected to the 
Bumber of about 1000, with six field pieces; an 
officer, with 150 sailors and soldiers, from New- 
London, had also arrived. Gen. WilJiams, under 
authority of tljc State of Connecticut, assumed 
the command. Nolhing seemed more easy than 
to capJure (he enemy, yet no attempt was made 
to do so, unless a summons to surrender can be 
so considered. Much censsire was then attribu- 
ted to the general for his dilatory conduct, and 
it seems not to have been hitherto accounted for. 
A!)out 25 vessels were destroyed, many qf them 
large and valuable. 

Com. R;irdy of the Ramilies 74, addressed a 
letter in May. to the British agent for prisoners 
of war in Boston, stating thai he had arrived in 
the bay, with an adequate force to carry thd 
blockade into effect, and requesting him to make 
it known to the neutral consuls and agents. in 
tliat town and state, that the blockade would be 



BISTORT OP THB W^iK. ^4l 

I igcroiisly enforced, agreeably to the proelama- 
tiuii for the same, 

Tlie followiig copy of a letter from Comnio- 
dtjre Lewis, co^niiiandiag the United Slates' tio- 
tilla at iV^w York, to the secretary of the navy, 
tlated i^lay 2^, 181 i. will show that the Yankees 
determined to have soaie trade, notwithstanding 
the migiity force of the enemy on the ocean. 

't Sir-^f have the honour to inform you, that on the 
19th I discovered the enemy in pursuit of a brig un° 
der Americans colours, standing for Sandy hook. — I 
ordered a detachment of 11 gun-boats to proceed to 
sea, and pass be ween the chase and the enemy, by 
which means to bring him to action, and give oppor- 
tu'iity to the chase to escape,all which Was effected ; 
the enemy, af'er receiving my fire, b -re away — and 
the hrig m question e itered the harbour, prov d to be 
the bri;4 Regent from France, with a very valuable 
cargo. And o<i Mo day the 23d, I engaged the en- 
emy before Ni w-London, and opened a pass -ge for 
40 sail of coasting vessels ; the action lasted three 
houfs, in whch the flotilla suffered very little ; No. 
6 received a shot under water, and otheis through 
the sails — we have reason to believe that the enemy- 
suffered very great injury, as he appeared unwilling 
to nnew the action the following mornipg ; my ob- 
ject was accomplished, which was to force a passage 
for the convoy. There are before New-London three 
sevenry-four's, four frigates, and several small vessels, 
the latter doing great injury, from their disguised 
chara-terand superior sailing. I have the honour t» 
assure you of my high respect, 

jr. LEWIS." 

As sooa as the enga.8j(»ment c^^ased, the flotilla 
came to anchoi* b;*foi*e tlie harbonr of New-Lo'i- 
<3 »n, within j^un-shot of the enemy, with a view 
«r rf'nevvi.ig the aytion in the morning, when we 
found that the enemy had collected uii his force, 



342 HISTORV OF THE WAR. 

in number seven ships and several small vessels^ 
in consequence of which great accession of force 
the project of renewing the action was abandon- 
ed, and signal was made to proceed up Sound, 
whither the enemy pursued as far as Faulkner's 
Island. 

Capt. Sawyer of the smack Resolution, from 
Stonington, informed, that, in the gun-boat bat- 
tle, one shot passed through the mi&insail of the 
Sylph, and another cut away her ensign ; that 
one shot passed through the bow of the Maid- 
stone, one through her foremast, and one into 
her hull ; and that on the day after the engage- 
ment, a number of men from these vessels were 
buried on Fislier's Island. 

A British squadron, consisting of a 7^> gun 
ship, several frigates, and smaller vessels, with 
numerous launches, spread terror along the coast 
of Massachusetts, and succeeded in doing consi- 
derable injury to coasting vessels. About iidOO 
tnen landed, on the IStJi May, at Wareham, in 
Massachusetts, and burned 12 or 13 vessels, va- 
lued at about iO.OOO dollars. They also set fire 
to a stocking factory, which was extinguished by 
the citizens, before much injury was done. 

Capt. Allen.of th«scohoner William and John, 
of Sedgwick, Maine; was hound to Boston with 
a cargo of lumber. Captain A. put into Dvers- 
ereek, on the 20th May, . but finding himself 
chased by the barge of the British schooner 
Bream, he bailed the barge, when she reached 
within about 50 yards, but received no answer, 
Capt. Allen then ordered the barge to << keep 
off,'' The captain, discovering the men in the 
barge about to fire a swivel in her bow, ordered 
Lis men to fire, and take good,aim. F.our shots 
were fired in succession, and the eaptain had ta- 



HISTORY OF THE AVAR, 2*3 

ken his aim, when one of the enemy cried out, 
<« Pll give up to you ;*' and the harge was in- 
stantly surrendered to Capt. Allen. Of seven 
men who were in the harge, two were liilled, and 
two wounded. 

After the capture of the harge, the British 
eommodore sent a flag of truce to Capt. Allen, 
with propositions, which were rejected. After, 
however, the exchange of four Hags, it was a- 
grjed, that in consideration of Capt. Allen's giv- 
ing up the British prisoners on parole, the eoni- 
niander of the Bream was to give Capt. Allen 
goo in cash, return two American prisoners he- 
longing to Goldshorough, give up a Chehaceo 
boat, with the property on board of her, valued 
at S700, and Captain Allen to retain the twelve 
oared barge, wirh all her armament, consisting 
of one swivel, six muskets, five cutlasses, six car- 
tridge-boxes, some 1)hie lights^ a compass, one 
trumpet, and a quantity of cannister and grape 
shot, all of which Capt. Allen values at S300. 

Soon after this transaction, a boat captured 
by the Bream schooner, was sent into Mount- 
Desert, with seven Englishmen on board, to cut 
out a vessel, the crew of which, on their ap- 
proach, fled to the shore, and were joined by 
several of the inhabitants, armed — having con- 
cealed themselves among the rocks or bushes ; 
they ojiened a fire on the enemy, killed three of 
them, wounded two, and compelled the others to 
surrender. 

The enemy entered the harbour of ScituatCf 
(M^4ss.) in June, in consequence, as he stated, of 
having been fired at from a signal piece of can- 
non, near the light-house, and set fire to several 
vessels. 



^1^ IMSTOKY OF THE WAF*. 

Two barges, from the Brilish frigate NjmplJ^ 
y/Qiit into Squam, and destroyed the sehoonep 
Diligence, laden with lime. The crews ihreat- 
®ned, (hat if the eaplain attempted to extinguish 
the flames of the Diligence, they would destroy 
the house on the point ; >^hieh being attempted, 
they fired a twelve pound shot through it, and 
letur'ned and efected the destruction of the 
schooner. 

On the llth July> Eastpopt was taken posses- 
sion of by the enemy, in the name of his Britan- 
aie majesly. and, as afterwards appeared, wa& 
claimed as being part of the British territor'y^ 
hy the terms of the ive'<\iy of 1783. 1 he British 
force consisted of 2000 men. 'I'he Americaa 
garrison of £9 men, including 11 sick, was com- 
manded by Major Putman. The inhabitants 
ii»'ere offered the alternative to take an oath of 
allegiance to the king, or to depart within seven 
days. A great portion, perhaps mor^e thaii 
two thirds, to(?k the oath. I'his place remained 
in the enemy's possession to the end of the war ; 
and, as will appear by i^eference to (he tr^eaty of 
peace, was to continue in possession of the Bri- 
tish unlil the dispute relative to terr*itor*y could 
be setthd b^ commissioners, to be appointed for 
that purpose. 

East port is on an island, called Moose, on the 
west side of Passamaquoddy bay ; the island is 
about ^\e miles long, and one mile broad, conir-l 
tairiing about 1000 inhabitants. I 

On the 9th August, at live p. M. the Ramiliesi 
74, Pactolus, 38, abouib ship, and a heavy l)rig,, 
arrived off Stonington : and a flag was sent t.ni 
shore, with a note^^ of which the following is ^> 
eopy 1 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 2ia 

To the Magistrates of Stonington. 
<< Gentlemen — one hour is allowed you, from the 
receipt of this communication, for the removal of the 
unoffending inhabitants. 

THOMAS HARDY.'* 

Stonington was in no state ot defence adequate 
to resist the enemy. The few men in the place 
hastened to collect ammunition, some ran to the 
battery, which consisted of two IS pounders and 
a four pounder, with a slight breast work ; ex- 
presses were sent to \ew-London and other pla- 
ces. At S o'clock, the attack was commenc- 
ed, by a discharge of shells, from the bombshipy 
and congreve rockets from several barges. This 
fire was continued until midnight, without injur- 
ing a single building or inhabitant. 

During the night, the volunteers and militia 
had assembled in considerable numbers, and 
were disposed of in the manner best calculated 
to resist any attempt of the enemy to land. A6 
dawn of day, the enemy began to throw rockets 
from vessels which had taken stations on the 
east side of the town, out of range of the batte- 
ry. An 18 and a four pounder were drawn to a 
point of land from which the enemy could be 
reached, and, in a few minutes, the barges were 
compelled (o move off. During this time, the 
brig worked up and came to anchor within less 
than half a mile of the battery. The ammuni- 
tion on shore, being expended, the few men, who 
■were at the battery, were compelled to retire^ 
having first spiked the guns. 

For an hour and a half, the enemy continued 
to fire on the town, without the least opposilioo 
being attempted or practicable. A fresh supply 
of ammunitiou being, by this time, obtained, (he 
Tent of (he 18 pounder was drilled^ ivhea a fir© 



24^ HISTORY OF TIIB WAK. 

was opened on the enemy^s brig, until at three 
o'clock she slipped her cable, and hauled oft^ 
being evidentlj' much injured in her hull and 
spars. 

Soon after this time, a considerable body of 
militia arrived, and Gen. Isham had taken tho 
command. 

A flag was sent from the inhabitants (without 
the concurrence of Gen. Ishara) to the British 
officer, informing him that the <» unoffending in- 
habitants" had been removed, and wishing to 
know, if he meant to complete the destruction of 
the town. The deputation received from Capt. 
Hardy, a written reply, that the bombardment 
should cease, in case the inhabitants would en- 
gage that no torpedoes should be fitted out at Sto- 
nington, and that the family of Mr. Stewart, late; 
British consul at New-London, would be sent on 
board. 

These terms could not be complied with.--' 
The proposal respecting torpedoes was consider- 
ed degrading, nothing of the kind having ever 
been attempted at Stonington ; the second, re- 
specting Mrs. Stewart and children, was referred 
to the proper authority. 

The enemy continued to negotiate, for the pur- 
pose of getting Mrs. Stewart on board, until thre^ 
o'clock on the 11th, when the bombardment 
•again commenced, and was continued until night. 
On Friday morning the attack was commenced 
and continued with great warmth, from nearly all 
the enemy's ships and launches, until near noon^ 
when it ceased ; and, about four o'clock, p. m, 
the enemy, finding that a great force were as- 
4»embled, for the protection of the town, finally 
withdrew ; and, on Saturday morning, weigheS 
iinckor^ aud proceeded up Fisbec's Soundo 



HISTORY OF THB WAB. 24T 

During the several attacks, not a man was 
killed, and but five or six wounded. Two or 
three houses were destroyed, eight or ten much 
damagi-d, and about forty partially injured. — 
More than 300 shells and carcasses were thrown 
into the village. 

The additional disposable military and naval 
force, which the peace in Europe left at the 
command of the enemy, tlie use which he threat- 
ened to make, and did actually commence, or 
prepare to make of it, produced an union of ac- 
tion and sentiment among the people of Ameri- 
ca, some discontented or rather traitorous per- 
sons excepted, and these so coniparatively feWf 
that they excited but a sentiment of contempt^ 
and owed their personal safety to their utter ina- 
bility to do material injury. The citizens of 
New- York, the first commei-cial city in the union, 
gave an example of political forbearance toward 
each other, and of attachment to their country^ 
which had a salutary influence on every othep 
part of the nation. 

At a general meeting held in the Park in that 
eity, the 10th August, 1814, the following, to- 
gether with si'veral other patriotic resolutions^ 
were unanimously adopted : 

« Resolved^ that the citizeus, here assembled, will, 
to th"^ last extremity, defen<1 their city. 

*< Res^lvi'd, that we will unite ourselves in arm& 
with our brethren of the country, and, on the first 
approach of the enemy, make it a common cause. 

" Resolved^ that it be recommended to the citizens 
generally, t© meet as soon as may be practicable 
with convenience, in their respective wards for the 
purposes of electing discreet and sufficient commit- 
tees to promote the execution of the following ote^ 
jectst- 



^48 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

« 1. To complete the voluntary enrolment of per-' 
sons, exempted by law from military service. 

" 2. To encourage the enrolment of sea-faring cit- 
izens, for services, in the harbour, or as artillerists. 

" 3. The enrolment of citizens for voluntary la- 
bour on the public works. 

t< Resolved, that we will endeavour to promote 
concord and harmony, and will discountenance all 
attempts to weaken the patriotic efforts of good citi» 
zens." 

From this moment, party feuds were, in a 
great measure, suspended ; newspaper editors 
excluded all acrimonious political discussions : 
the committee appointed to carry into effect the 
resolutions of the general meeting, was selected 
from the most respectable of the citizens, wi<h- 
out the least respect to the political party to 
which the persons selected, belonged. 

The plan of the enemy was, to dismember the 
union. A command of the North River would 
tend much to this end. The possession of the 
city of New- York was a desirable object, in 
whatever point it might be viewed. The mea- 
sures of defence and precaution, taken at New- 
York, probably prevented the intended attack on 
that city ; the subsequent attempt to gain pos- 
session of the posts near Lake Cham plain, leaves 
little room to doubt the enemy's intention. Had 
that invasion succeeded, we should have soon 
heard of an invasion on the sea-board, either at 
New-York, or some place to the eastward of it, 
and an attempt to form a junction of the two in- 
vading armies. 

For several months, the citizens of New- York 
supplied more than 1000 men daily, who laboured 
voluntarily and without pay, at the fortificatiens | 
l«id several thousands from the adjacent coao^ 



HISTORY 05 THE WAK. 2^4^ 

^tes, and from the state of New- Jersey, contri- 
buted tbelr aid, until a line of fortifieations wer© 
raised on the hei.^hts of Brooklyn and llarlfem* 
siiflieient to oppose any probable foree that could 
be employed by tsie enemy.— It would be impos- 
sible to do justice to the zeal that animated the 
citizens, a-id it cannot be expected to copy, or 
even notice the many editorial obsei'vations which 
appeared in the public prints ; zeal oveiH )vved, 
so that it became necessary to limit the offervd 
services to a certain number daily, and it oHea 
happened, that services could not be received un- 
til sevfM'al days after being tendered, riie fol- 
lowing, from the Richmond Compiler, is giverj^ 
because its shortness does not actually render its 
insertion iiicotnpatlble with our limits. 

<' To a patriotic mind, it is truly exliilerating, t<a 
FCad the New-York papers, and s^e the generous, 
ardent z- ul that actuates the inhabitants of that great 
eniporiu n of American commerce. At the first 
signal of breaking ground for the (je fence of the 
city, the whole popuhuion seem to have caught th& 
sp irk of patriotic energy, to have burst the shackles- 
of apathy, and set to the continent an example of so- 
eial and public spirit, which vve trust may be emulat- 
ed throut^h every p*art of our land. By wards and 
sections of the < ity, by tribes and centuries^ by con- 
stituted bodies and private companies, by trades, by 
professions, and by domestic parties, offers of person- 
al service and contributions in money, have been 
made and accepted : and that great mart of commer- 
cial wealth and enterprize, on which the enemy have 
so leng kept a longing eye, is already inaccessible, 
invulnerable ; the pride and glory, and palladium of 
the contiiient. Who would not be a citizen of New- 
York ?" 

On the 1st September, the British entered the 
Penobscot river, with about 4)0 sail of vessels;^ 



^5© H^ISTOBT ©F THE WAK. 

and several Ihausand men, and took possession of 
Castine, Ihe small j;aiTison of >vbich fled, after 
blowing up the fort. I'hey next sent 600 meij 
to Belfast, which submitted. The following day 
they proceeded np the river to Hamden, where 
the Adams frigate lay. Capt. Movris made eve- 
ry possible disposition to resist the enemy, but 
iinding his limited force inadequate to that end, 
he spiked his guns, burned his stores, blew up 
the ship, and, with his crew, escaped. The Bri- 
tish governor immediately announced, that the 
country, lying between the Penobscot river and 
Passamaquoddy bay, would he considered as a 
part of the British territory. Measures were 
also taken to fortify Castine, and establish per* 
manent commercial regulations. It was estima-. 
ted that 120 vessels were taken in the Penob-« 
scot. 

Wliile the enemy was coupling petty conquest 
with cowardice and cruelty, along the sea-board> 
the American army of the interior was plucking 
from the brows of imported iuvincibles the lau- 
rels won on the theatre of late European coa- 
ilicts. 

The brave General Jacob Brown, who had in 
the last year signalized himself by the defence 
of Sacket's Harbour, was appointed to the comr- 
mand of the army on the Niagara frontier. 

On the 2d July, General Brown, made disposi^ 
tions for an intended attack on the British Fort 
Erie ; and issued orders to the troops for cros- 
sing the river. The army passed the Niagara 
river on the morning of the 3d. The enemy was 
perfectly unapprized of the intended attack f 
Gen. Scott, who led the van, was on shore be- 
fore the enemy's picket discovered the approach*: 
The fort being approached on the ri^ht and left,. 



HIsrORY OF THE WAR. 251 

?im1 tlie Indians in the woods, in the rear, Gen- 
Brown summoned the garrison to surrender, 
"^vhicli, after a short time allowed for considera- 
tion, was agreed to. At six o'clock the garri- 
son marched and stacked their arms ; 170 regu- 
lars, ineinding seven officers, were sent across 
the river. 

On the morning of the 4^1 Jul^, Gen. Scott, 
with his hrigade, and a corps of artillery, ad- 
vanced toward Chippewa. After some skii'mish- 
ing with the enemy, he selected a judicious posi- 
tion for the night ; his right resting on (he 
river, and a ravine in front ; at It at night. Gen. 
Brown joined him with the reserve under Gen. 
Kipley, and a corps of artillery, under Major 
Hind man — a fi^'ld and battering train were also 
brought up; Gen. Porter arrived in the morning, 
with a part of the New.York and Pennsylvania 
volunteers, and some of the warriors of the Six 
Natio.is. 

Early in the morning of the 5th, the enemy 
attacked the pickets ; by noon he showed him- 
self on t!ie left of the army, and attacked one 
of the pickets, as it was returning to camp.— 
Captain Treat, who commanded the picket, re- 
tired, leaving a wounded man on the ground.-— 
Captain Bidd'e, of the artillery, promptly as- 
sumed the command of this picket, led it back 
to the wounded man, and brought him off the 
field. 

Generftl Rrown instantly order^Ml Capt. Treat 
to retire from the army, and advised, that his 
name, and that of another olHcer, should be 
struck from the roll of the army. This circum- 
stance was noticed in a note to the first edition 
of this work, without the following necessary 
addition, which did noi. and could not, have then 
come to the knowledge of the compiler. 

i 



tK^ BIS TOUT OY THE WAI2. 

Capt. Treat demanded a court of inquiry ; it 
Viis not .i^riinli'd *' but a Court Martial was or- 
dtM'ed at Port Erie. The left division of the ar- 
my marched to Backet's Harbour soon alter, 
and th»"cmrt was dissolved. 

Capt. Treat immediiitely proceeded to Sac- 
het's Harbour, by permission trom Mnj. Gen. 
Izard, a>id requested another Court Martial — 
M Jor General Brown, on the i^tli April, 1815, 
after the repealed solicitations of Capt. Treat, 
issued an order, organizin.s;; a court. consistin,i*of 
Col. M'Feely, president; Lieut. Colonel Smith, 
Mij?)r Crok.^!*, ^t ij. Boyle. Major Mull in.y, Maj. 
Chane. Capt. White, members ; Capt. Seymour, 
supernuiner ry ; Lieutenant Anderson, 13th re- 
giaient, judsje advocate. 

I'he court met, and pro( ceded on the trial the 
Cth April. I8i5, at Sacket's Harbjuir. 'I hey 
^•losed tlie invest i4;a! ion on the 8t!j May, when 
Capt. Treat wa^ iionourably a«cjuitU'd. 

I'hc following is a i^opy of the deeision of the 
«ourt : 

*• After mature deliberation on the testimony 
adihjced, the court do find the accused .iDSKPfl 
THI^^\T, of the 21st infantry, not .s;uiUy of the 
ch..i*!*e or sneciiications preferred against him, 
and do honou!*ably acqtiit him," 

Hie Sentence of the court was approved by 
;^lijjV Gen. Brown, and promulgated on the isiSth 
June, at Backer's Harbour. 

At fuur o'clock in the afternoon Gen. Porter 
advjmced with the voluisteers and Indians, in 
ordi'r to indifce the enemy to come forth.— » 
Gen. Porter's command met the li:>;ht parties of 
the enenj\ in the woods. 'The enemy was driven^ 
and Po!'ter pursired until near ('hippewa, where 
fee iuet Uitiir whole coiuuin^ in order of battle; 



HISTOHT OF THE WAR/ fiSS 

The heavy firing induced a belief that the en- 
tire force of the enemy was in motion, and pre- 
pared for action. Gen. Scott was ordered to 
advance with his brigade, and Towson's artil- 
lery. The general advanced in the most prompt 
and offiiter like manner, and, in a few minutes, 
was in close action with a superior force of the 
enemy. By this time Gen. Porter's command 
had given way, and fled in disorder, notwith- 
standing the great exertion8>^of (he general to 
raUy them. Fhis retreat left the left flank of 
Gen. Scott's brigade greatly exposed. Captain 
Harris was directed, with his dragoons, to stop 
the fugitives, behind the ravine, fronting the 
American camp. Gen. Rijiley, with the -^Ist, 
regiment, which formed part of she reserve, 
passed to the left of the camp, under cover of 
the wood, to relieve Gen, Scott, by falling on 
the enemy's right flank, but, before the i2ist 
could come into its position, the line command- 
ed by Gen. Scott closed with the enemy. Maj. 
Jessup, commanding the left flank battalion, 
finding himself pressed in front and flank, and 
his men falling fast around him, ordered his 
battalion to ** support arms and advance ,•" the 
order was promptly olieyed, amidst the most 
deadly and destructive fire. Having gained a 
better position, he poured on the enemy a fire 
rso galljnjr, as caused them to retire. The en- 
eui>'s entire line now fell back, and continued to 
retreat, until at the sloping ground, descending 
toward Chippewa, when they broke, and fled to 
their woiks. 

Gen. Brown, finding the pursuit of the troops 

cheeked by the batteries of the enemy, ordered 

«p his ordnance, in order to force the plaee, 

% a direet attack, but was induced^ by the re- 

w 



^5I» HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

port of Maj. Wood, and Capt. Austin, wlio re- 
connoitered (he eneii^y's works, the latcmess of 
the hour, and tlie adviee of Ids officers, to order 
the forces to retire to camp. The American 
troops, on no occasion, behaved with more giil- 
lantry^than on the present. The British rejjju- 
lars suiftH'ed defeat from a number of men, pria- 
«ipallv volunteers and miiitiu, inferior in ev<'ry 
thing but courage, to the vanquished enem^y ; 
and the gallant B«'0\vn, a woodsnran, '* a soldier 
oT yesterday," put at deliance the military tac- 
tics of tlie experienced Maj Gen. Riall. 

Th^ following is a copy of a letter. wriUen hy 
Clen. Brown, on I he field of biitile, directed to 
the seiTctary of war. 

ct Sir — Excuse my silence. T have been much 
engaged. Fort Erie did not, as I assurrd you it 
should not, detain me a single day. At I 1 o'clock, 
©n the nii^ht of the 4th, 1 arrived at this place with 
the reserve, General Scott having taken the position 
about noon, with the van. My arrangements for 
turnint< and taking: in the n ar the enemy's position 
€ast of Chippewa, was made, when Major General 
KiuU, suspecting our intention, and adhering to the 
rule, that it is better to give than o receive an at- 
tack, came from behind his works about 3 o'clock 
in the afternoon of the 5th, in order of battle. \\ c 
^id not b.ulk him. Before 6 oMock his line waB 
brokeii, and his forces defeated, leaving on the field 
f^.ur hundred killed and wounded. He was closely 
pressed, and would have been utterly ruined, but for 
tlu p= oxiniity ot hi- works, whither he fled for shelter. 
Tiie wounded of the eneniy and those of our own 
army r ust be attended to. fhey will be remov( d 
to Buffuloe. 1'his, with my limit< d means for trans- 
portatii n. will take a day or two, after which 1 shall 
a Viiiice not doubtiny: but tlut tiie iiailant ^nd ac- 
f^fcuipiished troops 1 leud, will brcuk. down uii oppo^ 



HISTORY OF THK WAR. 255^ 

i'ition between me and Lake Ontario, when, if met 
by the fle Jt, uji is well — it not, under the favour of 
heaven, we sliall behave in a way to avoid disijrace." 

rhebatileoT liriilji;vvaier, roiij[i;li« on the ^3tli 
July, was bloody atw! woll contested on botli 
sitlcs. The eniMMv was c »tn;50"e<l of 5900 men, 
of the best troo:.)s, eofniniindrd by Gen. Riall, 
and others, the best Britisii officers. It is due 
to tliein to record, that they tbu^bt well, but 
they foujjjbt against freemen, and were defeated, 
Opj)os( d to the bravest slaves in the world, of 
equal force, this British army would have con- 
quered. The Ameiicans were fewer in numbev 
than the enemy ; they were men. most of whom 
Jiad yet to learn military tactics, but who had a 
coanh'if^ noiv staked in a contest, which the pre- 
sent battle might njaterially effect, or, in its coa- 
aequcnce. decide. 

On the 'Zbth, Gen. Brown's army was encamp- 
ed above Chippewa, near the battle ground of 
the 51 h. The brigade under Gen. Scott mov- 
e<l past Chippewa, and halted at Bridgwater, 
in view of Niagara falls. At half- past four, p. m. 
the battle was eo«nmeneed by the enemy. The 
enemy, being nu;nerically superior to the Ame- 
ricans, lie was able to extend his line so as to 
attempt to flank. In order to counteract the 
apparent view of Gen. Riall. he was fought in 
detachments — he was charged in colunuu Gen. 
Seott being at the head of his troops in almost 
every charge. General Scott maintained his 
ground for tnore thin an hour, before the re- 
gerv<^ under Gen. Ripley, and the volunteers, 
under Gen. Porter, were brought fully into ac- 
tion. The ground was obstin<itely contested un- 
ti' nine o'clock in the evening, wh'^i Gen. Brown 
decided to storm a battery, which the enciD|r 



2B& HISTORY 0¥ THE WAR. 

liad on a commanding eminenee. Col. Millei,* 
commanded on this enlerprize, which was so re- 
solutely' entered on, that the enemj^, unable to 
withstand the charge, retired to the bottom of 
the hill, and abandoned his cannon. The enemy 
now gave way, and was pursued some distance. 
The American army then betook itself to the 
securing of prisoners, and bringing off thq^ 
wounded. 

VV bile the army was thus employed, General 
Brummond arrived with a reinforcement to tho 
enemy, when he, unexpectedly to the Ameri* 
cans, renewed the battle, with a view to recov- 
er his cannon. The army, having quickly 
formed, resisted the attack with courage; and, 
a^ter a close engagement, the enemy was re- 
|julsed, as he was in two other similar attempts*^ 
^Jlie Anierican army having effected the remo- 
val of nearly all the vvouoded, retired from the 
ground a little before midnight, and returned ta 
camp. 

llie warmth and zeal with which this action 
was maintained, was the most obstinate and de- 
termined. For two hours, the discharge of 
musketry was so constant, as to produce almost 
an uninterrupt»^d blaze of fire ; nor was i< in any 
Iperiod of this action, much less warm. Wel- 
jington's " invincibles" had just arrived from 
Europe, and Drummond resolved that they 
should not m ly maintain their character, but 
anaintain it in a manner that would make the 
most desponding impression on the brave, but 
raw recruits of the republic. The Americans 
not only withstood the onset, but repelled and 
punished it. A fine moon-light night favoured 
equally the operations of both armies ; they 
fought too near to render cannon generally ser- 



HISTORY OE THE WAR. ^5T 

viceable, being oflen w'uliin half pisfol shot of 
eaeii other, and sometimes miij^led toi^eitiei'. — 
The charge of Col. iVlilii^i* excj^eded any ihing 
expeiienied by the JirUish soldiers, even in Eu- 
rope, rhrice his men were repulsed with great 
siaui4;hter. For a time he was deserted by a 
regnnent of infanti'y; ihey v/ere rallied; a 
fouilh ciiarge was made, and sue-eeded. fiie 
A.aerieans could not he diiven, nor withstood-: 
determined not to be overthrown, even by supe- 
rior numbers, they seejue<l resolved to crush 
whatever foe Oi)p^>sed thei-ii. Had Hi *y been 
conquered, they wouUl yet deserve honour; as 
victors, they covered (iiemselves with gJory. — 
They lost a howitzer; the nder beirig shot off, 
the horses carried it full gallop into the ranks 
of (iieenem,y ; tliey also lost a piece of cansion, 
Which vas too much advau ed. and froin which, 
the men, except two, wes-e siiot. For want of 
h^M'ses. they were « ompelled ro leave (o tlie en- 
emy most of (he cannon which M'ere tiken from 
liim, wiih siiich bravery, and at su 'h exjience. 

On the morning after the baltle, the Ameii- 
cans, und r Giniesals liipley and l^o! ter, recon- 
noitered the eneiiiy, who did not siievv any dis- 
posision to eenrw the coitesr. H'ld then burn 'd 
the enemy's hrirracks and a bridge at ('hippewa 
after wiiich tiiey returned to Fort Fiie. 

The enemv was believed io have lost between 
1200 :,m\ 1500 me?u inc'uding M j. Gen. Rial], 
Wiio WHS wo'iiided. aw\. with 18 oisier oiHcers, 
and tnO noa commissioned o-fie<*rs and privates^, 
taken pris.ners The Amerie ins lost o^ e major, 
1 adjutant, b Captains, i suoalterns. 10 sergeants, 
10 lorporah. 1 i privates — t<>;al kiil -d, I7t — 
1 liiujor general, 1 !>rig.idier general, 2 aids de- 
••axiip^ 1 bi'igade-uiaj r, 1 coiouel^ i ii^^uteaiui^*' 



■2B8 HISTORY 0¥ THE WAR. ' 

colonel, 4 majors, 1 adjutant, 3 qiiarter-master^g, 
1 paj- master, 7 captains, 32 subalterns, 517 non- 
commissioned officers and privates — total wound- 
ed, 572; missinj?, 117-— total, 860. 

The British force engaged, amounted by their 
own confession, to 4500 men, mostly or wholly 
regulars, beside a host of Indians; the .Vmerican 
force did not exceed 2800 men, consisting in a 
great proportion of the militia of Pennsylvania 
and New-York. Gen. Brown, in his official re- 
port, particularly notices the brave and prudent 
conduct of Generals Ripley. Porter, and Scott; 
Colonels Miller, Dobbin, ofNew-York, Wilcox, 
and Gardener; Majors MM^^irland, Hindman, 
Jessup, Wood, of the Pennsylvania militia, Jones, 
M'Ree, and Wood, of the engineers ; Captains 
Towson, Ketchum, Biddle, and Ritchie ; Lieut. 
E.B.Randolph; Aids-de Camp Worth, Smith, 
Austin, and Spencer. Some of these brave men 
lell in action, and nearly all of them were cover- 
ed with wounds. 

Gen. Brown received two wounds, but contin- 
ued to command until the action ended. The 
general was obliged, by the severity of his 
wounds, to retire from the command, which de- 
volved on Gen. Ripley, Gen. Scott being also 
disabled, by wound, from continuing in com- 
mand. 

The army contimied on the Canada side, seem- 
ingly resolved to maintain itself against anicne- 
my, which was receiving frequent reinforcements, 
and had, after a little time, become formidable, 
in numbers and equipments. 

The enemy, after recovering the effects of the 
l>attle of Bridgwater, moved up toward the 
American army, at Fort Erie; and frequent 
^ii'misU^^s «usu€dj ia which the eoexny Wds ge£h 



HISTORY OF THE WAK. 2B9 

erally worsted. On the 3d August, a]>out 500 
regulars, under Col. Tucker, crossed below 
Black liock, but were met by 2«»^0 riflemen, and 
a party of volunteers, under Major Morgan; and, 
after a long contest, were defeated, and compel- 
led to re-cross the river. Brigadier General 
Gaines, arrived at Erie the 4tli August, and as- 
sumed the command, during General Brown's 
illness. 

On the 15th August, the enemy, under the im- 
mediate command of Gen*"i'al Di^immond, at- 
tempted to siorm Fort Erie; the result was 
communicated in a letter from General Gaines, 
to the secretary of war, of which the following 
is a copy : 

« Head'Quarters, Fort Erie, U. C. 
Aug. 15,7 A. M. 18 J4. 

Dear Sir — My heart is gladdened, with grati- 
tude to heaven, and joy to my country, to have it in 
my power to inform you Jhat, the gallant army un- 
der my command, has this morning beaten the en- 
emy, commanded by Lieut. Gen. Drummond, after a 
severe conflict of three hours, commencing at two 
o'ciock, A. M. They attacked us on each flank — 
got possession of the salient bastion, of the old Fort 
Erie, which was regained at the point of the bayo- 
net, with a dreadful slaughter. The enemy's loss,, 
in killed and prisoners, is about 600 j near 300 kil- 
led. Our loss is considerable, but I think not one- 
tenth as great as that of the enemy. 1 will not de- 
tain the express to give you the particulars. I an* 
preparing my force to follow up the blow.** 

The assault was of that desperate nature, that 
W^s calculated to rub away the stains of former 
dttfeats, to resuscitate the sinking charms of aa . 
assumed invincibility, and save the British gene- 
ral from cuateiDpt, and perhaps, disgrace. The 



2)9 HISTORY OF TJlfi WAK. 

projection was grand ; the means of accomplish- 
ing it, great, and relied on for its efficiency ; the 
attempt to execute, was supported with itn en- 
thusiasm in the officers, and a mechanical ohe- 
dienee in the men, which prontised, and almost se- 
cured success. The inviucihles were, however, 
destined JO experience anoliier dei'eat; and the 
Americans added anoiher wreath to tlie laurels 
wiih vvhicii they were already/ so plentil'uily 
blessed. The enemy was h rgeiy strpplied wih 
tiie means generaiiy used on such oi casions, 
pikes, bayonets, spears, scaling ladders, 6ce. He- 
pulsed and repulsed, he rallied <tnd returned to 
the attack ; he carried a bastion, and, by his 
conduit, evinced, what was to he the fate of the 
republicans, if vanquished. Lieut. M»OougaI, 
beinj^ severely woun<led, in defending the bastion, 
dematided quarter, it was refused. Gen. Drum- 
niond crying out, *• give the damned Yankees no 
quarter." M»[3o»gal defetuled himself until shot 
d.Kvn hy a pistol. Fhe bastion wa^ re taken hy 
tht' greatest display of courage and exertion. 

This assault was preceded by a cannona<ie and 
b 'ml)ardment, which commenced at sun-rise on 
t5e morning of the l.^th, and -oniinued until 8 
o'clock, p, VI.; vvas re eouisnenced on tli** l4th, 
at d.ty light, and continued until night — the as- 
sau't was eommtne^Ml at half past two on the 
nmi-ning of tlie 15th. The result was the di*frat 
of the -assail ints. a<CHnpaified with 'a loss of -Z2'Z 
m-n killed, 174 wounded, and 186 sk isoners — to- 
tal 58 i, exclusive of a nuntber (supposed zOO) 
killed in the water, a^id caj ritd oft'hv the cur- 
rent. The Americans lost '^n killed, 91 wound- 
ed, and 11 njissi'ig — Jotal VIS. 

I he enemy eorstinued in the neiglihourhood of 
Fort iirie^ bti-eugthenlBg ami exiejiding his 



HISTORY OF TUB WAR. 261 

works and calling in reinforcements, with a vie\r 
to the ultimate occupatio^j of the fort, and the 
«apture or destruction of the garrison. The en- 
emy^s works were constructed in a field surround- 
ed b;^' woods. Tlieir infantry was formed infa 
three brigades of about 1500 men each. One of 
these brigades, with a detail from their artillery^ 
was stationed at their works (these being but 500 
yards distant from Old Fort Erie, and the right 
of General Brown's line.) The Americans had 
already suffered much from two of the enemy's 
batteries and a third was about to be opened. 
Gen. Brown, having recorered of his wounds^ 
resumed the command, on the 2d September, 
The situation of the army was extremely eritii-a]. 
As the only mofU' of relieving himself, he deter- 
mined to storm the batteries, d«stroy the can- 
non and roughly handle the enemy's brigade on 
duly, before those in reserve would be brought 
into action. 

The enemy's works were very strong, regular, 
and executed with a studied intricacy, consisting 
of a breastwork, eo meeting their batteries, and 
of successive lines of entrenchments in the rear, 
covering the batteries and enfilading each other: 
and the whole ofjstructed by abbati^, brush, and 
felled tiii'ber. Ft was cah uiated to resist, and 
throw into confusion, the most experienced as- 
sailants, and led to many severe contests with the 
bayonet. 

Directions were given, by General Brown, to 
mareh at noon, on tlie 17th September, to the 
intented assault. General Porter commanded a 
detachment of volunteers, riflemen, regular in- 
fantry, and a few dragoons. These moved from 
the extreme left of the American position upon 
the enemy's right, by a passage opeaed through 



202 BISTORT OV THE WAH* 

the woods for the occasion. Gen. Miller station- 
ed his command in the ravine belwi'en Fo;t Eri« 
and the enemy's batteries, by passing them Uj 
detachments thj'ough the skirts of che wood — 
1'lie 21 St infantiy, under Gen. Ripley* was post- 
ed as a corps of reserve, between the new bas- 
tions of Fort Erie. " About 20 minutes past 
three, p. m." says Gen. Brown, in his official re- 
port, ** I found the left column, under the eom- 
inand of Gen. Porter, which were destined to 
turn the enemy's right, within a fewpods of the 
British entrenchments. I'hey were ordered to 
advance aad commence the action. Passing down 
the ravine, I judged, from the report of muske- 
try, that the action had eommeaeed on our left ; 
I now hastened to (ien. Aliiler, and directed him 
to seize the moment, and pierce the enemy's en- 
trenchments, between batteries No. 2 and 3. — 
My orders were promptly and ably execiited — 
Within 30 minutes after the first gun was fired, 
batteries No. 3 t^nd 2, the enen^y's line of en- 
trenchments, and his two block-houses, were in 
our possession. Soon after, battery No. 1 wa» 
abandoned by the Brirish. The guns in each 
"were spiked by us, or other wis<* destroyed, and 
the magazine of No. 3. was blown up." 

The enemy's loss exceeded, from the most 
probable acoount, 1000 men, including 2 majors, 
4 captains, 4. lieutena.ts, 1 en.sign. one assist ant- 
surgeon, 4 staff- Serjeants, 19 Serjeants, 17 cor- 
porals, one drummer, and 332 privates. The A- 
mericans lost in killed, wounded and missing, 
511. General Davis, of the militia, was killed. 
The action lasted more than two hours, a'ul was 
"Warmly contested for about one hour. In the 
«ourse of the action, the entire of the enemy'* 
01 ce was brought into action^ consisting princi- 



BlSTORY OF TH£ WAR. ftd^ 

pally of regulars under eonmiaud of Lieu^ Gen» 
J3ru:nruorid. So satisfi»'d was the British ji^ene- 
r.ii of his inability to contend, rvt-n aidid by liis 
veterans, ajj^ainst the raw soldiers tlia? ioriiied 
tJie Aniei'icas', a in\, thai hi broke up liis camp, 
during the night of the 21st, and reisred to his 
entrenehuK'nts behind the Chipoewa. "Thus,'* 
says General Brown, *• one thousand reguhu's, 
&iii\ an equal portio ; ot* militia, in one hour of 
close action, lilasted the h ^pes of the enen»y> 
destroyed the fruits uftifty du\s labour, and di- 
niinislu'd his efft-elive force, one thousand men at 
least." 

An expedition under the eommand of Lieut. 
Col. (i. Croatian, was st i oh loot in Jul>, Isl i ; 
tl'e chief oi>j'Ct of which, was the reduction of 
Fort Maekii^ac. whi<h had been taken by the en- 
emy io t|je early part of the war. The expedi- 
tion left Kori Gatioil (head of Straits St. i'lair) 
on thl•l^i!h. Owirtg to a want of pilots acquaint- 
ed withtlie untVi^quented part of the bay, the in- 
tern! d course of tile vessels was somewhat ali^-r- 
ed ; tliiy anchored -.it St, Joseph's on the 20th. 
Afui* setting fire to ihe fort oP St. Joseph, which 
seemed not to have been recently o< cupied. a de- 
ti.ehiru'nt of infaiitry and ariillery, under Major 
Ilolio' s. was ordered <o Sault, St. Mark's, fop 
the purj>ose of f»re king up the enemy's esta- 
blish'iieutat thit [)laee. A few hours btlbre t!»© 
arrival ofMajor Slo-n-esat ih • Sault, St. Mary's, 
the north- W's! agent was apprized ot hisappioat h, 
and succeeded iti <s aping with a large qunntiry 
ot goods. A large quantity were, how« ver, fou.td 
secreted in ttie woods, on the ^Uiericao side — . 
'J'hese was eiaifiied by the ;tgent of John .T<.bn- 
son, an Indim teader: b;J >li.J«>r Holmes df- 
«liucd giving tkciu lo Mv. Johnson^ •* bticaust^?^ 



56i BISTOaT OF THE WAR. 

as Major Holmes observed in his letter to Lieut; 
Col. (Jroj^han, »* it was j»ood prize by the mari- 
tiuie law of nations, as recognized in the English 
courts, (witness the ease of Admiral Rodney ad- 
judged by Lord MansfiekJ.) Further, because 
Johnson has artid the iufamous part of a trai- 
tor, having b^en a citizen and a magistrate of 
the Michigan territory, before the war and at 
its commencement, and now dischargiug the 
functions of magistrate under the British gov- 
€!'nment. Because^ liis agents armed the In- 
dians from his store-house at our apjiroach ; 
and h^sd*, because, those goods, or a considera- 
ble part, were designed to be taken to Michili- 
mackibac." 

The expedition reached Michilimackinac on 
the 26th. wliere the enemy was found so strong- 
ly posted on a height, overh)oking the old fort, 
that his reductioji b^ storm, with the small 
force under ('ol. Croghao. seemed very doubi.lul. 
It was the colonel's wish, at all hazards, to dls- 
emb irk in some favourable position, from whi* h 
he might be able to annoy the »nemy by gradual 
and slow approav'hes, under rover of his artille- 
ry, and where, by fortifying himself, he might 
force the enemy to attack liim in his strong po- 
siton ; or draw his Indians an<l Canadians (his 
most effioient and only disposible force) from the 
island. 

Heing informed, by old residents <if the island^ 
vliBre a ravonrable poi^ifion might be obtained, 
he effecffd a lar^dipg on the 41 h August, abd 
advam^ed to the field where an encampment was 
intended, when he revived intel igence that the 
enemy was ai;e»d» of which he was soon convin- 
ced, bv a <^' cIk vjre of shot and shells from a 
Ijattery of lour guns. Uhe colonel^ heitou, chang- 



HISTORY OF THE WAK. ^65 

C(l his position, (\v]»ieli was then two lines, the 
inilitia forming the front,) bj^ advancing Major 
Holmes's battalion on the right of the militia, 
thus to outflank him, and by a rigorous eifort to 
gain his rear. Before this movement could be 
executed, a fire from some Indians, posted in a 
thick wood, proved fatal to Major Holmes and 
severely wounded Captain Desha, the next in 
rank. This misfortune threw that part of the 
line into confusion, from which it was found im- 
possible to recover it. As the only method left 
of annoying the enemy, Colonel Croghan order- 
ed a charge to be made on his front by the regu- 
lars. The enemy was thus driven back into the 
woods, from which an annoying fire was kept up 
by the Indians. Lieut. Morgan brought up a 
light piece to relieve the left which was suffer- 
ing from a galling fire ; the excellent practice of 
this piece brought the enemy to fire at a longer 
distance. 

Col. Croghan finding the position, from which 
the enemy was driven not tenable, he determin- 
ed not to continue to expose his men to a danger, 
from which no good result could be expected. — • 
He therefore ordered a retreat to the shipping. 

Sailing-master Champlin, whose vessel, the 
Tigress, fell into the hands of the enemy, and 
who, with his crew, were prisoners at Michili- 
mackinac, arrived at Eric in >Jovember. Capt. 
Arthur Sinclair, commanding the United States' 
naval force on the upper lakes, states, in a letter 
to the secretary of the navy, on the authority of 
sailing-master Champlin, that, « the conduct of 
the enemy to our prisoners, (the crew of the Ti- 
gress) thus captured, and the inhuman butchery 
of those who fell into their hands, at the attack 
of Mackinack, has been barbarous beyond a pa- 



S86 HISTORY OF TiJE WAU. 

i^allel. The former bavc been plundered of al- 
most every article of clotliing Ihey possessed $ 
iiie latter bad their hearts and livers taken out, 
^viiieb were actually cooked and feasted on by 
the sava;?es, and that too in the quarters of the 
British officers, sanctioned by Col. M*Dougall.'* 

The British army, under (jeneral Druinmond, 
being' considerably reinforced, there appeared an 
absolute necessity to strengthen that under Gen» 
Brown, and to make such a diversion or co-ope- 
ration, as would draw off the enemy from the 
Bcighbourhood of Fort Frie, or compel him to 
surrender. A vigorous attack on Kingston must, 
if made, produce the first of these effects ; the 
throwing of a large force into the rear af Gen. 
l>rummond, might have the latter effect. Gen. 
Izard marched from Plattsburgh, about the 1st 
September, with a large force, which formed a 
Junction with Gen. Brown, about the 12t]i Octo- 
ber ; thus having, unfortunately, occupied more 
ihan 40 days in performing a journey of 2o5 
iuilcs by land, and a voyage of 90 miles by water 
v-total distance from Plattsburgh to Black Rock, 
3i3 miles. 

The slow movement of Gen. Izard's army^ 
gave to the enemy the time necessary to equip 
the new ship St. Lawrence, of 90 guns, lately 
built at Kingston. The British fleet, with this 
hjg ship, appeared off Niagara, the 2d Novem- 
ber, and gave to the enemy the command of lake 
Ontario, by which General Drummond could be 
reinforced or taken off, if necessary. It also 
enabled the enemy to threaten Sacket's Har- 
!)our 5 and Gen. Brown was ordered to the de-- 
fence of the Harbour, leaving Gen. Izard iticom- 
inaiid at Erie. 



HISTORY OF THE WAR; 26Z 

The campaign in the neighbourhood of Niaga- 
I'a must, from the lateness of the season, be 
drawing to a close; it appeared to Gen. Izard, 
that his army could not remain in safety at Krie, 
the fort was therefore destroyed, and (he army 
crossed to Buffaloe, where it'took up winter-quar- 
ters. 

The army left at Plattsi)urgh, after the marcU 
of Gen. Izvird, was very weak ; the command 
devolved on General Macomb. The enemy em- 
braced this opportunity for making an incursion 
into the state of New-York, on the side of Lake 
Champlain, with a view to secure a strong posi- 
tion at Crown Point, or Ticonderoga, previous 
to going into winter-quarters ; and ultimately^ 
to co-operate with an army, that was to iavada 
the state of New-York, or Connecticut, on the 
sea-board ; and thus effect the great object of 
the British governmeat, the political separation 
of the eastern from the southern states. 

ticneral Sir George Prevosr, commanded the 
British land forces, destined for this service, 
consisting of four brigades, each commanded by 
a major-general of experience ; a light squadron 
of dragoons, and an immense train of artillery^ 
and all the engines of war ; the entire amount- 
ing (o 14,000 men. While the troops advanced 
by land, the tleet, apparently superior to the 
y\r.icriean, advanced by water. To resist thl« 
overwhelming force. Gen. Macomb had but 1.-/00 
rffcctivcs. In aid of this small force, ihe militia 
was hastily assembled. 

. The British governor-general entered the ter* 
vitojy of the United States, on the 1st September, 
;! 8 1 i, and fixed his headquarters at the village 
of Champlain ; from which, he commenced an 
iittack; by promises and threats, on tliQ citizc»i^ 



268 HISTORY OF THE V/XU, 

of the United States, previous to the more seri- 
ous attacks which were to be simultaneous by 
land and water, and were effectually to over- 
throw all opposition on both. 

On the 2d, the British army marched from 
(^^hamplain ; on the 5th, it appeared, in full 
force, before the village of Plattsburgh. Na 
sooner was the intention of the enemy discover- 
ed, than the militia was called out : those of the 
county of Clinton assembled on the 2d Septem- 
ber, near the village of Chazy, where they took 
•*t position, under command of Lieut. Col. Miller, 
On the following day. Gen. Wright look a posi- 
tion with his brigade, seven miles in advance of 
Plattsburgh. On the advance of the enemy. 
Col. Appling, who was placed with his command 
on the lake road, fell back to Dead-creek, where 
he posted himself, and impeded the approach of 
the pursuers so much by blocking up the passage, 
that the enemy was compelled to alter his course 
toward the Beekmautown road. On the morning 
of the 6th, the advance of the enemy attacked 
the militia, about 700, under General Mooers, 
and a small detachment of regulars commanded 
by Major Wool. Unfortunately, a part of the 
militia broke and fled, the remainder, together 
with the regulars, made a bold and masterly op- 
position, retiring slowly and regularly before a 
large force for six miles, when they were rein- 
forced within a mile of Plattsburgh by a Captain 
J^eonard and a few men with two pieces of ar- 
tillery. This force, by taking advantage of the 
cover of a stone wall, made a stand and checked 
the progress of the enemy, until overpowered by 
superior numbers, it retired, as before, slowly, 
dealing death among the enemy, until it reach- 
ed the south bank of the Saranac, where thQ 



HISTORY OF THE WAIU 269 

pursuit of the enemy was effectually checked, 
and he forced to retire. From this time until 
the morning that was to decide the fate of Piatts- 
burgli and perhaps of Albany, eontisued skii*- 
mishing was kept up, each party preparing itself 
for the Woody conflict. The enemy occupied art 
extent of about three miles, he erected seven 
heavy batteries and fully supplied himself vvitli 
all the usual means of attack. The Americans 
were engaged in annoying the enemy and 
strengthening their own works. Tlic 11th was 
^xed on for the attack by land and water. At 
nine in the morning of that day, the enemy's 
fiotilla on Lake Champlain, passed Cumberland- 
head. It consisted of one frigate of 52 guns, ona 
brigof 2::2 guns, two sloops of 10 guns eacli, and 
several gajleys. The American fleet lay in Cum- 
berland bay, opposite Piattsburgh. The enemy, 
superior in vessels, guns, and number of men, 
advanced with that confidence, which his supe- 
riority of force, inspired ; and the bloody con- 
flict began. Com. Thomas Macdonough eom- 
manded the American flotilla. Undaunted, h» 
waited the attack, trusting in the heroism of a 
little band, which seemed determined to conquer, 
or die. For two hours and fifteen minutes, the 
contest was maintained, with an obstinacy whieh^ 
while it added to, or rather perfected tlse re- 
nown already acquired by the American seamen, 
did not disgrace the vanquished. Modesty seems 
to be a quality highly possoKsed by the uaval 
commanders in the United States. The follow- 
ing laconic letter, written to the seci'ctary of the 
navy, by Com. Macdonough, is at once a proof ol" 
modesty, and a notice of success. 

** The Almighty has' been pleased to grant us a 
signal victory on Lake Champlain, in the capture o^ 



270 HISTORY or THE WAR. 

one frigate, one brig, and two sloops of war, of the 
enemy." 

The American galleys were about pursuing 
tbosc of the enemy, that were making their es- 
cape, but, it being discovered, that all the vessels 
were in a sinking state, it became necessary ta 
annul the signal to chase, and order the men 
from the galleys to the pumps. " I could only," 
observed Com. Macdonough, " look at the ene- 
my's galleys going off in a shattered condition, 
for there was not a mast in either squadron that 
could stand to make sail on ; the lower rigging 
being nearly all shot away, hung down as though 
it had been just placed over the mast-heads."— 
^' The Saratoga," continued the Commodore, 
^« h^djiftyjive round shot in her hull ; the Con- 
fiance, (enemy's vessel) one hund^ved and JiveJ* 

The following is a comparative view of the 
number and strength of the vessels engaged, and 
the loss on board them. 

AMERICAN. 

G una. Men. Killed. Wounded, 
:Ship Saratoga 26 210 23 29 

Brig Eagle 20 120 13 20 

Schooner Ticonderoga 17 110 6 6 

Sloop Preble 7 30 2 

Ten Gun-Boats 16 3^0 3 3 

Total 86 820 52 5S- 

BKITISH. 

Frigate Confiance • 39 300 50 60 

Brig Linnet 16 120 30 SO 

Chub (formerly Growler) II 40 6 10 

l^inch (formerly Eagle) 11 40 8 10 

Thirteen Gun-boats 18 550 O 

Total 95 1050* 84 lia 



HISTORY OV TiiE WAIT. 271 

At the same hour that the fleets engaged, the 
enemy opened his batteries on the American 
forts, throwing hundreds of shells, balls, and 
rockets ; and attempted, at the same time, to 
cross the Saranac river, at three different points, 
to assault the American works. At the upper 
ford, he was met by the Vermont volunteers and 
NeW'York militia. Here a most interesting 
conflict took place ; on the one side, the best 
troops of Britain, led on by her most consum- 
mate ofllcers, men and ofiicers selected from 
those soldiers, who under the command of the 
Duke of Wellington, had acquired the charac- 
ter of« invincible,'' men who had conquered 
in Portugal, Spain, France, and the Indies ; on 
the other side, men not reared to arms, not 
used to battle, most of them born since their 
sires had immortalized themselves in combat 
on this same ground, the descendants of the 
« Green Mountain-boys" and of those heroes 
who conquered at Saratoga, &c. The object of 
contest was great ; on it was, probably, to 
hang every future event of the war. The ene- 
my fought for the recovery of a territory which 
would make his king the most powerful prince- 
in the world ; the officers looked to places of 
emolument, pensions, grants of land, titles of 
nobility, stars, garters, ribbands, plunder ; hon- 
ours and riches in a thousand shapes and forms : 
the honest American yeomen sought neither 
pay nor pecuniary reward, beyond the daily sti- 
pend of a soldier. But yesterday, they were at 
their ploughs, to-day, they grasped their rifles, 
and hurried to the threshold of their country — 
their ultimate reward was to be a conflrmatioit 
of the liberties entailed on them by their sires, 
a coalinuunce of that independence they were- 



273* HISTORY or THE WAR. 

determined to preserve or not to survive. The 
conflict was influenced by feelings wliich drew 
forth the utmost exertions of both parties, and 
substituted desperation on one side, and unbend- 
ing patriotism on the other, in place of that in- 
difterence or cowardice, which so often leads 
to disaster and disgrace. Several times were 
the cnem^ repulsed, several limes did he re- 
turn to the ford ; astonished at this obstinate 
resistance, from woodsmen, suddenly assembled 
on the occasion, the enemy yet believed they 
must give way : again he advances, again he is 
repulsed : astonished, confounded, dismayed, he 
retires : no longer invincible, he acknowledges 
defeat — defeat from whom ? Let Wellington's 
men answer ; or let them send fop a reply t© 
the mountains of Vermont, or the wilderness 
of New-York. At the bridge near the village, 
he was repulsed by the pickets, and the brave 
riflemen, under Captain Grosvenor, and Lieuten- 
ants Hamilton ^nd Riley ; and, at the bridge in 
the town, he was foiled by the guards, block- 
houses, and the artillery of the forts, served by 
Captains Alexander Brooks, Richards and Smith, 
and Lieutenants Munford, Smith and Cromwell. 
The eneniy-s Are was returned with effect from 
the batteries ; by sun-set, seven of his newly 
raised batteries were silenced, and he was seen 
retiring to his camp. Beaten by land, and h^ 
water, the British governor-g'cneral withdrew 
his artillery, and raised the siege. Under favour 
of a dark night, he sent oflT his heavy baggage, 
and retreated with his whole army towards Ca- 
nada, leaving his wounded in the field, and a 
vast quantity of provisions, and munitions of 
war, which he had not time to destroy. The 
light troops, volimteers and railitia, pursue* 



BISTORT or THE WAR. 2T3 

him on (be following tlav, capturing several sol- 
diers, and covering the escape of a great num- 
ber of deserters : bad weatber prevented tbe 
pursuit to be continued beyond Cbazy, Thus 
have 14,000 regulars, witb the best British offi. 
cers, and the best military equipment, been bea- 
ten by a regular force of only 1500 men, and 
2500 militia and volunteers ; tbe militia com- 
manded by Gen. Mooers, and tbe volunteers by 
Gen. Strong. The enemy having retired from 
republican ground, the miiitia and volunteers 
were dismissed. 

The official return of the loss oftheAmeri- 
can regulars, amounted to one subaltern, one ser- 
geant, one musician, and 34 privates killed — total 
37 ; 2 subalterns, 1 serjeant-major, 4 Serjeants, 
2 corporals, 4 musicians, and 49 privates wound- 
ed — total 6Z ; total killed, wounded and missing, 
119. 

General M<Comb states the loss of the ene- 
my on the land and lake, at not less than 2500 
men. 

While glory and victorv attended tbe armies 
of the United States, the navy continued in- 
creasing its number of victories, and private 
armed vessels carried destruction to the enemy 
in every sea. Even in the British Channel, the 
enemy felt that his thousand ships of war could 
not bring safety to his traders. Insurance to 
cross the channel, rose from a few shillings to 
five guineas (^i3,7B) per cent, 

In iat. 27, 47, N. Ion. 80, 9, on the 29th April, 
1814, the U. S. sloop of war Peaoook fell in 
with his Britannic Majesty's brig Epervier, ra- 
ting and mounting 18 32 pound carronades, with 
128 men. The Epervier struck her colours af- 
ter an action of 42 minutes, and the loss of eight 



27* HISTORY OF THE WAR* 

nien killed, arid 15 wounded. Two men were 
slightly wounded on board the Peacock, Both 
vessels arrived at Savannah, the prize being 
with difficulty kept above water. The damage 
Suffered by the two vessels, will be seen by the 
following extract from the official report of Capt. 
Warrington. 

. " This (the disabling of a fore-yard) with a few 
top-masts, and top-gallant back stays cut away, a few 
shot through our sails, is the only injury the Pea- 
cock has sustained. Not a round shot touched ouF 
^ull ; our masts and spars are as sound as ever.— . 
When the enemy struck, he had five feet water in 
his hold, his main top-masts was over the side, his 
main boom shot away, his fore-mast cut nearly in 
two, and tottering, his fore rigging and stays shot a- 
way, his bow-sprit badly wounded, and 45 shot holes 
in his hull, 20 of which were within a foot of his 
Water-line.'* 

The Epervier had 120,000 dollars in specie^ 
on board. 

* The United States' sloop of war Frolic, Jo- 
seph Bainbridge com?nander, was captured, af- 
ter a chase by his B. M^ frigate Orpheus of 36 
j^mis, on the 20tb April. A court of inquiry, 
held on board the U, S. frigate Constitution, at 
New- York, the 201h April, 1815, gave their 
Opinion, " that the same was not lost, through 
the fault, inattecUion or negligence of Captain 
B?\inbridge." The court al^o reported favoura- 
bly on the conduct of the oiHeers and crew of the 
Frolic. 

His Britannic majesty's sloop of war Rein- 
deer, was captured the 28th June, 1814, in lat, 
48, 36 N. and Ion. 11, 15 W. by the U. S. sloop 
of war Wasp, Capt. J. Blaliely. The action 
©ommenced at 26 minutes after 3 P. H. ; at 4^5 



HISTOKX OF THE WAB. 275 

minutes past 3, the enemy >vas earricd by board* 
ing. The action* for the short time it lasted, 
was severe, and both vessels and crews suffered 
considerably. The loss on board the Wasp, wag 
principally occasioned by repelling the enemy^ 
in two attempts which he made to board. The 
Reindeer mounted i6 2*-pound carronades, two 
long G or 9-pounders, and a shifting 12-pound 
earronade, with a complement of US picked 
naen, called, from their appearance, the <« pride 
oT Plymouth." The Reindeer was literally cut 
to pieces, and so complete a wreck, in both hull 
and rigging, that it was lound necessary to de- 
stroy her. Her commander, (William Manners, 
Esq,) and 22 petty officers and seamen, were 
killed ; wounded dangerously, 10; severely, 17 ; 
slightly, 15 — total killed and wounded, 75, 

On board the W^asp, there were 5 killed, and 
21 wounded. Six round shot struck the hull of 
the Wasp ; a 24-pound shot passed through the 
fore mast, and a considerable number of grape 
struck, but did not penetrate her sides. The 
Wasp arrived at L'Orient the 8th July. 

The Wasp sailed from L'Orient on the 27th 
August. At half past nine o'clock, P. M. the Isl 
September, engaged a vessel, supposed to be a 
large brig of war, and forced her to strike her 
Mag, at 12 minutes past ten. In a few minutes, 
Capt. Blakely discovered another brig, and pre- 
pared for action ; at 36 minutes past 10, two brigs 
in sight, when the Wasp was compelled to re- 
linquish her prize. The Wasp lost two men kill- 
ed, and had one man wounded. The enemy, af- 
ter his surrender, was heard, asking assistance, 
and said he was sinking. The enemy's vessel 
proved afterwards to be the Jlvon. By the 
British details, it was acknowledged, that the 



S76 HISTORY OF THE WAK> 

two vessels, which came in aid of the Avon, 
were the Castilian and Tartarus, each of them 
of force equal to the Wasp. The Avon went 
to the bottom, after the surviving part of her 
crew was removed on board the other British 
vessels. The Avon was in the Delaware in 
1810 ; she then carried IS 32pound carronades, 
besides bow and stern guns. 

The Essex, Capt. Porter, the smallest frigate 
in the American navy, was destined to prove im- 
mensely injurious to the enemy. Her cruise in 
the Pacifie ocean has supplied ample materials 
for an interesting volume. Capt. Porter not on- 
ly protected the American shipping against the 
numerous letters of marque, which the enemy 
had sent into those seas, but rendered these 
very letters of marque tributary to his plan of 
destroying the enemy's trade, particularly in the 
fisheries. 

Capt. Porter, sailed from the Delaware, the 
27th October, 1812. On his passage to Rio 
de Janerio, he captured the British packet 
Norton, and took out of her 11,000 pounds ster- 
ling, in specie. He arrived at Valparaiso on 
the 14th March, 1813, where he obtained a full 
supply of provisions. He then ran down along 
the coast of Chili and Peru, fell in with a Pe- 
ruvian corsair, which had on board 24 Ameri- 
cans, the crews of two whale ships she had cap- 
tured on the coast ; he threw the guns and am- 
munition of the corsair into the sea, liberated 
the Americans, and afterwards re-captured one 
of the vessels, as she was entering the port of 
Lima. 

From Lima, Capt. Porter proceeded for the 
Gallipagos Islands. While among this group 
©f islands, he captured the following British 



HTSTOUT or TUB WAR. 2T? 

^Iiips, (letfers of marque) employed chiefly in 
the Spermaceti whale fishery. 

Tons. Men. Guns. Pierced fa^ 
Montezenma 270 21 2 

Policy 175 26 10 13 

Georgiana 280 25 6 1$ 

Greenwich 388 25 10 20 

Atlantic 355 24 8 20 

Rose 220 21 8 20 

Hector 270 25 11 20 

Cutherine 270 29 8 18 

Seriigapatara 357 31 14 26 

Charlton 274 21 10 18 

Nevv-Zealander 259 23 8 18 

Sir A. Hammond 301 31 12 18 



34j6 302 107 

The Atlantic received the new name of the 
Essex Junior, was equippi^d with 20 guns, and 
her command given to Lieut. Downs. 

Lieut. Downs convo;^ed some of the prizes td 
Valparaiso; and Capt. Popter on the return of 
Lieut. Downs, proceeded wi(h the other prizes io 
the island of Nooaheevah, where he overhauled 
his ship, t ok on hoard a supply of provisions, 
and sailed for the coast of Chili, on the 12tU 
De<'emher, 1813. 

Previous to sailing from Nooaheevah, he se- 
cured his prizes under the guns of a hatiery, 
"which he erected for their protection, and Jeft 
the hattery in ehargo of Lieut. Gamhle, and 21 
marines, with orders to proceed to Valparaiso, 
alter a cprtuin period. A friendly intercourse 
was estahlished with the natives; and the island 
t'jiki^n possession of, in the name of the United 
St;it»'s. Fie arrivt'd on the toast of Chili th« 
iZi\i January, 18 li. 

% 



378 HISTORY 01? TRt WAIJ, 

The captain detailed his success in the follow- 
ing words : 

«I had completely broke up the British naviga- 
tion in the Pacific ; the vessels which had not been 
ca{»tured, were laid up, and dared not venture out. 
The valuable whale fishery there, is entirely de- 
stroyed, and the actual injury we have done them, 
uiay be estimated at two and a half millions of dol- 
lars, independent of expenses of vessels in search 
of me. They have furnished me amply with sails, 
cordage, cables, anchors, provisions, medicines, and 
stores of every description : and the slops on board 
them have furnished clothing for the seamen. W© 
had, in fact, lived on the enemy since I had been in 
that sea, every prize having proved a well found 
store-ship for me. I had not been under the neces- 
sity of drav/ing bills on the" depirtraent for any ob* 
jr.ct and had been enabled to make considerable ad- 
vances to my officers and crew on account of pay." 

After arriving at Valparaiso, he found him- 
self blockaded by two British ships ; the Phce- 
he, Com. Ilinjar, carrying 30 long 18-pounders, 
16 32- pound carronades, one howitzer, and six 
three-pounders in the tops, and a complement of 
320 m^-n ; and the Cherub, mounting 28 guns, and 
having a complement of 180 men ; making, to- 
pjether, 81 guns, and 500 men. The force of the 
ilssex was 46 guns, 40 32 pound carronades, and 
SIX long 12's, her crew amounted to 2.^5 men. — 
'J he Essex- Junior mounted 20 guns, 10 18- 
pound carronades, and 10 short 6's, with only 
60 men on hoard. 

Capt. Porter having sought in vain to hring 
©n an action with any one of the enemy, had re- 
solved on putting to sea, in the hope of out-sail- 
ing them. On the 28th March, 1814, during 
a i^/esh liiow of wind, the Essex parted her Jar- 
hQdvd cable, and dragged the starboard anchor 



BISTOKY OF THE WAB. U79 

directly to sea. Finding liimself in tliis sUu^- 
lion, he hoisted sail, and got undrr way. On 
rounding a point of land, a heavy squall struck 
the ship, and carried away her main top mast, 
precipitating the men who were aloft, into the 
sea. Being chased f>y the two enemy's shi]>s, 
and unahie to gain his former anchorage, lie ran 
close into a small bay, about three qiiiMtcrs of a 
mile to lecAvard of the battery, on the east side 
of the harbour, and let go his anchor, within pis- 
tol shot of the shore. 

It was in this situation, that his crippled ship 
and reduced erew were attacked, in a neutral 
port, contrary to the laws of nations, by two 
ships of the enemy. The Essex was carried, 
but a prize has never been bought at a dearer 
rate. The action lasted nearly two hours and a 
Lalf, The Cherub, from her crippled state, was 
compelled to haul off, but continued to five at a 
distance from her long guns. The Phoebe al^^o 
chose, after suffering considerably, to lire from a 
distance with her long guns, while the Essex 
could not reach him with her carroniides. There 
never was a ship more cut up than the Essex, 
nor that suffered more in men. Sevrnty men, 
including officers, were all that remained after 
the action, capable of doing tiuty, «im i.tiir.y U^ 
tLes6 severely wounded. 

I'he enemy continued firing for several minutes, 
and killed and wounded many of the ^-crew of 
the Essex, after her colours were struck, and an 
opposite gun fired, to show that resistance had 
ceased. Capt. Porter conceiving it was inten^ 
ded to refuse quarter, was on the point of hoist- 
ing his colours, and selling his life as dear as 
possible, when the fire of the enemy ceased.*- — 
'JL'he Phcebe was so cut up, that she \xasj witit 



^0 HISTORY 0¥ THE WAK, 

great difficuhy worked info Valparaiso, and it 
seemed doubtCuI, even after slie came lo anchor, 
ivhetlier she could be repaired so as to enable 
Ler (o double Cape Horn. She had eighteen 
12-pound shot through her, beJow her water 
line. Nothing but the smoothness of the water 
saved her from sinking. Had the Phoebe and 
Cherub dared to come boldlv. into close action, 

^hey would have been undoubtedly defeated . 

'^I'he enemy's^ loss in men cannot be ascertained, 
hut must have been very severe. That of the 
Essex was — 

IviHed, and have died since of their wounds, 53 
Severely wounded - . - . S9 

Slightly wounded * • - - 26 

pissing -,..-,... St 

Total - . iiy^ 

It was agreed between Capt. Porter and Com. 
Uillyar, that the Kssex-Junior should be dis- 
armed, iand employed as a cartel, to bring Capr. 
Porter and his men to the United States, to be 
Ihere exchanged for an equal number of Bridsh 
prisoners of equal rank. On the 5th July, the 
Essex- Junior arrived off New-Yoik, and was 
overhauled by the British ship Sanirn. Capt. 
VMi^*'. j'j'J~:;jg rrom ti'lC CSI^diu.t of the British 
officer, that he would violate the terms, under 
which the Essex- Junior had sailed, took to his 
boat; and, after ro\>ing and sailing 46 miles, 
reached Long-Island. 

The winter season, rendering it difficult and 
dangerous for an enemy's fleet to remain on the 
American coast, to the northward of Virginia, 
hi was conjectured that his blockading squadron 
would be moved to the southward, nor was the 
conjecture ill-founded* It was hh iuteution to 



HISTOBT 0¥ THE WAH. 284 

effect something more permanently useful^ than 
the robbing of private property. A general a- 
liirm prevailed among the inhabitants, particu- 
larly in the cities, along the sea coast. It was 
also ascertained, that great preparations were 
making, and several thousand men collected in 
the West- Indies, with the avowed intention of 
invading some of the southern states. 

At 4j o'clock, ♦. M. on the l.^th September^ 
1814, Fiirt Bowyer.on Mobile Point, wa« attack- 
ed by a superior British naval and land force. — 
The naval force was under command of Sir H. 
"W. Percy, and consisted of two ships from 2i to 
28 guns, mounting 32 pound carronades; -Z brigs 
from 16 lo 18 guns, mounting impound carron- 
tdes, and 4 tenders. The land forces consisted- 
of 100 marines under command of Col. Nicholls. 
a body of Indians under command of Captaitii 
Woodbine, and a battery of a 12 pounder and 
howitzer under direction of an officer of the ar- 
tillery. The American effective force was about 
120 men, of whom not more than 9.0 were en- 
gaged. 

At 4 p. M. the enemy's leading ship, called 
the Hermes, having approached sufficiently near* 
the guus of the battery opened upon her: at 20 
minutes past 4, the engagement became generah 
Soon after this time, the British land forces 
were put to flight* by discharges of grape and 
cannister, fi oju a 9 pounder. At 5, p. m. the 
guns of the Hermes were silenced, and .she drift- 
ed out, and groundt^d within 600 yards of the 
baitery, where she continued to be fired on, un- 
til night. \i sun-set the other vessels cut their 
cables, and stood on, under a tremendous fire 
fcom the battery. At a quarter past T^tb^^ 



2S2 HiSTORr OE THE WAB. 

Hermes appeared to be on fire ; at 10 her ma*= 
gazine blew up. 

It was learned, from deserters, that 160 of the 
crew of the Hermes were lost, that 75 were kill- 
ed or wounded on board the other ship, and sev- 
eral on board the other vessels^ The American 
loss was 4- killed and b wounded. Major Wil- 
liam Lawrence commanded at the fort. On th© 
16th the enemy's fleet stood t#sea. 

The appearance of 50 or 60 vessels of the en- 
emy, in the mouth of the Mississippi, rendered 
it almost certain, that the city of New-Orleans 
would be an object of attack. The advance of 
the enemy was announced, in general orders, on 
the l4th December, 1814, by Gov. Claiborne; 
and, on the 18th, CJen. Jackson reviewed the 
militia, preparatory to meeting the enemy.—- 
Mariial law was declared on the 16th. The 
woodsmen from Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi 
Territory, and Kentucky, hastened to the scene 
of honour and glory ; and men, of different lan- 
guages and manners, prepared to emulate each 
other in defence of a common country, and a li- 
berty in which they alike participated. 

On the 13th December, the enemy's flotilla 
gained the Pass Christian, and was proceeding, 
evidently against the U. S. gun vessel, then at 
anchor off bay St. Louis. The gun-boats re- 
treated, during the night, to the Malhereaux 
Jsiands, Lake Borgnc, where the wind and tide 
forced them to remain. At day light, ^n the 
15th, the enemy advanced with 42 heavy launches 
and gun barges, mounting 42 guns, of 12, 18, and 
24 calibre, and 3 light gigs, with 1200 men, com- 
Hianded by Captain Locker. 

At 10 minutes before 11, A. M. be eommeno- 
^-i an attacji oji th« flotilla^ consisUog of guiit? 



HISTORY 0¥ THE WAH. 28^ 

boat No. 5, 5 guns, 36 men, sailing-master Fer- 
ris ; gun-hoa( No. "io, live guns, S9 men, Lieut. 
M^Keever; gun-boat No. 155, live guris, 41 me% 
Lieut. Jones ; gun Imat No. 162, 6 gu s. 35 men, 
Lieut. Spedden ; and gun- boat No. 163, 3 guns, 
31 men, sailing master Uirick-^total, 25 guns, 
and 182 men ; the entire under eommand of 
Lieut. Thus. A p. Catespy Jones, of boat 156. 

The sloop \lligator (tender) of one four poun- 
der and eight men, not being able to Join the flo- 
tilla, was eaptuied, before the aclion with the 
gun boa (s commenced. 

The gun boats were taken in succession, and 
each boat, when taken, added ^o the enemy's 
line of attack. The action continued until 40 
minutes past 12, when the last of the gun-boats 
was surrendered. 

Considering the immense disproportion ofth©^ 
parties, the action was sustained, on the part of 
the Americans with a skill, bravery, and perse- 
Terance, unexampled, even in the most spirited 
of the actions which distinguished the American 
seamen in the previous part of the war, F'ive 
small vessels, and a few men, maintaining a con- 
test for an hour and a half, against a swarm of 
heavy barges and gun-boats, which closed and 
nearly surrounded tliem, was a sight unparallel- 
led in the an^ials of naval heroism. The loss of 
the enemy, in killed and wounded, was estimated 
by Lieut. Jones, to exceed 300, amung whom 
"were an unusual quantity of officers. 

The capture of this flotilla gave to the enemy 
a free entrance into Lake Ponchartrain, except 
■what resistance they might meet fr<im a small 
fort commanding the passage of the Regolettes, 

The enemy, having gained the command of 
^e lakes^ was enabled to eiOTect a passage to tbf 



284 HISTORY OB THE WAR. 

Mississippi, at a point, about nine miles from 
Kew-Ork^ans. Gen. Jaekson advanced agninst 
bim, determined to atta< k him in his first posi- 
tion. The attack was made in the night of the 
23d December, at half past seven o'clock. It 
was commenced by a fire from the schooner Ca- 
roline, which dropped down the river, in order 
to open on I he rear of the camp. This was the 
signal for Gen. Coffee to fall on the right, while 
Gen. Jackson attacked the left near the river. — 
It resulted honourably to the American arms ; 
but produced nothing decisive. The enemy's 
force amounted to about 3000 men ; that of Gen. 
Jackson did not exceed 1500. lliecjufliet last- 
ed an hour, and was supported with great firm- 
ness. Gen. Jackson remained on the field until 
four o'clock in the morning, when he took a new 
position two miles nearer the cit.y ; having lost 
in this aftair, 24 killed, li5 wounded, and 74 
missing — total 213. 

The enemy succeeded, on the 27tb, in blowing 
up the Caroline, (she being beealraed) by means 
of hot shot, from a land battery, erected in the 
night. On the 28th, he advanced with his whole 
force, against Gen. Jackson, in the hope of driv- 
ing him from his position, and with this view 
opened a fire Avith bombs and rocketS| at the dis- 
tance of about half a mile. The enemy was re- 
pulsed, with the loss of about 120 men. The 
Americans lost seven killed and eight wounded. 

On Sunday morning, the 1st January, 1815, 
the enemy had advanced within 600 yards of the 
American breast works, under cover of night 
and a heavy fog, and had erected the preceding 
night, three different batteries, mounting in all 
i3 guns, from 6's to 32's, \bout eight o'clo- k^. 
^heB the fog cleared o^T; they commeoeed a moft 



HISTORY 01 THE WAR. 2S5 

tremendous fire upon the Americans, but it was 
amplj' returued bj ihem, and a heav^ eannonad- 
ini; was kept up, without the least interval on 
either side, except that oeeasioned b^v the explo- 
sion of a ma.u;aziMe in the rear of one of the 
Anieriean ba'tterics, and another magazine in 
the nighs owing to the enemy's Congreve roek- 
ets. Bv four o'e'oek in the afternoon, the Anie- 
rieans had dismou>ited ail tlie enemy's guns, ex- 
cept two. 'rhe\ reti-eated, during the niglit, to 
their strong hold, about a mile and a quarter 
from the American camp. Twice did the ene- 
my attempt to storm and earr,> the American 
biitteries, hut were as often deceived. On New- 
Year's dav, the loss of the Americans was 11 
killed, and 23 badly wounded. That of the en- 
emy, from the accounts of two prisoners taken 
on that day, and three deserters afterwards, must 
have been' much greater. 

According as the woodsmen arrived to the 
aid of Gen. Jackson's army, they were disposed 
of to the best advantage, for the purpose of de- 
fence ; but these forces not beii g of a very et- 
fitjient nature, especially as the men could not 
be all provided with the necessary arms, the 
general could not attempt any thing against an 
enemv, who was thus left to pursue, undisturo- 
ed, hi's laborious operations. 

During the days of the 6th and 7tb. the ea- 
emy had been actively employed in making pre- 
parations for an attack on Jackson's lines— 
^Vith infinite labour, they had succeeded on the 
night of the 7tb, in getting their boats across 
from the lake to the river, by widenm^ and 
deepening the canal, on which they had elfectea 
their discn\barkation. 

Gen. Juckson was on the left side of Ibe rivep. 



286 HISTORY OF THE WAli. 

patiently wailing the attack. Gertcral \Iorgaw, 
villi the New Orleans contingent, the Louisiana 
militia, and a deiachinent of Kentucky troops, 
©ecupied an enti-enehcd camp on the opposite 
eide of the river, protected by strong batteries 
on the bank, superintended by Com niod ore Pat- 
terson. 

On Sunday, the 8th, at 6 1-2 o'clock, a. m, 
the enemy began a very heavy cannonade up^^n 
the American lines, from his batteries of IS and 
42 pouf;ders, supported by the musketry of 2.^)00 
men, who marched 'n close columns, and ad- 
vanced nearer than musket shot distance to the 
entrenchments, armed with rockets, obuses and 
facines, to storm the batteries ; they directed 
Iheir principal attack against the head of the 
line, flanked by the river, and upon the left rest- 
ing upon the ciprejis swamp, as well as against 
the tirailleurs and riflemen, placed above the 
said swamp ; the roaring of the guns and firing 
of the musketry, lasted two hours and a quar- 
ter ; the enemy's mortars, although directed a- 
gainst the centre, did no harm to the troops, 
the bursting of their bombs in the works was of 
no eifcet- Two Britisli officers, and one French 
engineer, of the name of liennie, who had gain- 
ed the summit of the American parapet, {set 
frontispiece,) was killed or wounded, and made 
prisoners : (the cHgineer and orje colonel was 
killed ;) after this terrible aflair, the field, m 
front of the works, was strewed with British 
Vounded and killed. 

Gen. Jackson thus briefly details the particu- 
lars of attack. 

" In my encampment every thing was ready for 
action ; when early on the morning of the 8th, the- 
eiiexny, tifier Ujr^Aying a shower of bomba. and Coa? 



HTSTOKT OJf THE WAB, t^ 

gVeve roclcets, advanced their columns at my right 
and left, to storm my entrenchments. 1 cannot speak 
sufficiently in praise of the firmness and deliberation 
with which my whole line received their approach. 
More could not have been expected from veterans 
inured to war. For an hour, the fire of small arms 
was as incess nt and severe as can be imagined.—. 
The artillery, too, directed by officers who displayed 
equal skill and courage, did great execu ion. Yet 
the columns of the enemy continued to advance with 
a firmness which reflects upon them the greatest 
credit. Twice, the coluiin, which approached me 
on my left, was repulsed by the troops of General 
Carrol, those of G^n. Coffee, and a division of the 
Kentucky militia, and twice they formed again, and 
renewed the assault. At length, however, cut t» 
pieces, they fled in confusion from the field, leaving; 
it covered with their dead and wounded.'* 

Simultaneously with flie aUack on Gen. Jack- 
son's lines, an attack was made on the works of 
Gen. Morgan. Had the enemj been met with 
resolution in this attack, it must have produced 
liis entire destruction ; hut, unfortunately, ih& 
Ke itu.'ky reinforcements ingloriously fled, draw- 
ing after them, by their example, the remainder 
of the forces, and leaving tlie batteries to the 
^enetny ; not, however, until after the guns were 
spiked. While General Jackson was preparing 
to dislodge the enemy from the captured battery, 
the British troops were withdrawn, and the post> 
re-occupied by the Americans. 

T'he return of the killed, wounded, and prison- 
ers, taken at the battle of Mac Prardies' plan- 
tation, on the left bank of the Mississippi, on 
the morning of the 8th January, 181.5, and live 
miles below tlie city of New-Orleans, consisted 
©f—killed, 700 ; wilunded, liOO 5 prisoners, &0» 
— *total 2600. 



fits histout of the war. 

Among the slain, were General Sip Edward 
Packenhaiii, the chief, and Gen. Gibbs, the third 
in command ; Gen. Keane, the second in com- 
mand, was severely wounded. Gen. Lambert 
su.'ceedfr'd to the command. 

His total loss, in the different engagements, 
was not probablj' less than 3500 ; and was, by 
many, supposed to exceed 4000. 1 he loss to 
the Americans, on the 8lh, on both sides of the 
river, was 13 killed, 39 wounded, and 19 missing ; 
total killed, wounded and n»i^sing, this day, 71 ; 
of this number thtM'c were but six killed, and 
seven wounded, in the action of the line. 

The enemy intended to pass Fort Philip, in 
order to co-operate with the land forces in the 
attack on ^ievv Orleans. On the 9th Jiinuary, 
at half past 3 P. M, the enemy's bomb vessels 
opened their fire against the fori, from four sea- 
inortarH, 2 of them 13 inches, and t2 of 10, at so 
great a distance, that the shot from the fort 
coud noi reach him. The eneniy's fire contin- 
ued with little intermission, and with little in- 
terruption from the fort, during the 10th, 11th, 
lith, 13th, 14th. I5lh, 16lh and 17th. On the 
evening of (he iTlh, a heavy mortar was got in 
r«'adiness, and ojiened on the enemy, with great 
efft'ct. AA ilay light on the 18th, the enenjy re- 
tired, after having thrown upwards of 1000 heavy 
shells, besides sn^all shells, from the howitzers, 
round shot an 1 grape, which he discharged from 
boats, under cover of the night. Scarcely ten 
feet of the g:irrison remained untouched ; yet 
the loss of men was small, consisting of two kil- 
led, and seven wounded. 'J'his saving of men 
was ovving to the great pains taken by the oflieers 
to keep their men under cover. 

Ail the enemy*i» movements) after the action 



HISTORY 0!F fHB WAR. 2^9 

affile 8th of JaniiJirj, were calculated to secure 
Listetreat, sUo.ild surh prove necessary, as ap- 
piMrances then intlieated that it would. Their 
inrention was, however, masked by a meBariug 
attidudi^, as if preparing for a renewal of the at- 
tack on Jackson's line. They had erected bat- 
teries to cover their retreat, in advantageous 
positions, from their original encainprnent to the 
Bd^^ou, through which Ihc)^ entered lake Bourg- 
ne. The cannon placed on these batteries cou (I 
have ?*aked a pursuing army in every direct ioa. 
The situation of the ground, through which they 
retired, was protected by canals, redoubts, en- 
trench ments^ and swamps, on the right ; and the 
river on the left. 

In this state of things, Jackson had an oppor- 
tunity of showing his prudence, as he before 
proved his courage; and, b^y uniting both quali- 
ties, |^erfe«ted the general. Since the action of 
the 8th, the artillery, on both sides of the river, 
Was cfinstanlly employed in annoying the enemy. 
An .'ittempt to sturm his batteries would have 
ps^oduced great slaughter among the Americans^ 
been iloubtful of success, and mi^i^ht possibly 
have induced the enemy to d»*lay his departure. 
It was therefore resolved by Gen. Jackson to se* 
cure the advantage obtained^ with the least p03*» 
sible loss or hazard. 

All hope which the enemy Viad of reducing 
fort Philip, had vanished; and on the night of 
the 18th they precipitately decamped, and re- 
turned to their shipping, leaving behind them 80 
of tlieir wounded, l* pirces of heavy artillery, 
and :m immense number of ball, having destroy- 
ed much of their powder. 

(VI r. Shields, purser in the navy, wrote letters 
Qu taeXGth aad 17th of January^ to Mr. NiW^ 
•« 



g90 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

f)f BaliJmore, containing mucli information, froui 
^\iii(h the followins; is exJracted : 

<' The day after the gun-boats v/erc taken, I was 
sent drvvn under a flag of truce, to ascertain the fate 
of our officers and nien, with power to negotiate an 
exchange, especially for the voundfd. But the en- 
'cn:y would make no terms — they treated the flag 
■%\th. contempt, and myself and the burgeon, who 
"was with nie, as prisoners, until the 18th inst. He 
iias now lowered his tone, and begs the exchange 
that we offered. Defeat has humbled the arrogance 
of the enemy, who had promised his sotdiera forty- 
eight hours fiillage and rapine of the Ci^y of JSfew 
Orleans / ."* 

On the authority of judge Poindexter, it \s 
stated, that <'the watch-word and countersign 
of the enemy, on the morning of the 8lh, was 
BEAU1 Y and BOOTY. Comment is unneces- 
sary on these significant allusions held out to a 
licentious soldiery. Had victory declared on 
their side, the scenes of Havre de Grace, of 
Ham{>ton, of Alexandria, and of St. Sebastians, 
%^onld, witlsout doubt, have been re acted at N, 
Orleans, witli all the unfeeling and brutal inhu- 
manity of the savage foe with whom we are con- 
tending." 

'Ihns ended, in disgrace and discomfiture to 
i\w enemy, an ex{)edition which occupied seve- 
ral months in its preparation, and was compos- 
ed of at leas! 10.000 troo|)s, drawn from al- 
most ^\i-v\ part of the w^rld, where the Bri- 
tish Inid garrisons or soldiers. Nothing was 
left undone fo secure the occupation of an im- 
ivicnse provinc*% and the command of a river ex- 
tending fl>oosHnds of miles thr ugh the most 
ftrtile eoimtries in the \>orld ; and on which se- 
\erid of the United States depend as an outkt 
and market for their produce. 



ttlSTORF OE THE WAR. 2iM 

That a permanent oociipation of New-Orleans, 
and (lie state of Louisiana, was intcndm], can 
s •ct'Ci'ly be doubted. The fiict th.it r;'venue 
a. d ot(ier* civil oHicei's, to vcijide at i\e\v-Or- 
Icans, were on biiiid the iluet, is a sufficient 
evideni-e of tliis fact, as well as it is of the cer- 
tainty with which victory was counted on ; noi- 
ls this rendered duubiful, by the circuirislance, 
that the battle w».s fous;ht after the treaty ot* 
peace was ratified by the ISritish governinent. 
Tin* expedition against New- Orleans was plan- 
ned long before the signing of peace, and at a 
time wjien tha wavering and quibbling policy of 
Kngland induced the American eoraniissioners 
at Ghent, to write to their government, *» tliat 
no hopes of peace, as likely to result from it, 
(the R< gotiation) could be entertained." 

Froui an official account, it appeared, that 
the number of men under command of General 
Jackson, and actually engaged against (he en- 
emy, on (he 8th January, amounted to 4,698.— 
1'he enemy's force, by his own account, exceed- 
ed 10,000.* 

By an article in a Jamaica paper, of (he 3d 
Decemher, it was staled, that (he expeditiou 
then prepared to go against tlie United States, 
under command of Sir Alexander Cochrane, and 
]Mi»j. Gen. Keane, («he same that afterwards en- 
tered the Mississip[)i,) consisted of 1 ship of 80 
guns, 5 of 74, if of 50, 1 of 44. 6 of 38, 2 of 3H, 
3 of 32, 3 of 16. 2 of 14, and 3 of C guns — 'I'olal 
28 ; carrying 10S4 guns, besides a great num- 
ber of cutters, transports»^co. 

On the 21st Jan. Gen. Jackson directed an ad- 
dress to be publicly read at the head of each of 
the corps composing the lines near New- Orleans. 
it must have been a difficult and delicate (ask to 



^a BiaTOKT &E THE WAH, 

do justice ta individuals, where all acted sawe!!^ 
proving, in the general's words, **that a rampart 
of high minded men is a hetter defence, than 
ilje most regular fortification.'* 

This address contained the following ennphaii* 
^a1 paragraph. 

" Reasoning always from false principles they 
(the enemy) expected little opposition from mea 
whose officers even were not in uniform, who were 
ignorant of the rules of dress, and who had never 
been caned into discipline — fatal mistake I a fire in- 
cessantly kept up, directed with calmness, and with 
tinerring aim, strewed the field with the brave ofl&- 
^ers and men of the column, which slowly advancedj, 
according to the most approved rules of European 
Sactics, and was cut down by the untutored courage 
of the American militia Unable to sustain this gal* 
ling and unceasing fire, some hundreds nearest the 
entrenchments called for quarters, which was grant- 
ed — the rest, retreating, were rallied at some dis- 
tance, but only to make them a surer mark for the 
grape and cannister shot of our artillery, which, 
without exr-ggeration, mowed down whole ranks at 
every discharge ; and, at length, they precipitately 
retired from the field." 

I'he following officers and volunteers are par* 
ticuhirly noticed hy the general: Genei*als Cof- 
fee, Carroll, Adair, de Flanjae, Villere, Mor- 
gan. Humberi, (acting as a volunteer,) Mexican; 
Field Marshal Don Juan de Anavar, (volunker :) 
Colonels Ross, Dyer, Gihson, Elliot, M'Rea, 
Perry, De la Ronde, Haynes, Piatt, Anderson, 
(killed,) and Adjt. Gen. Col. Butler; Lieut. 
Col. Lauderdale, (killed ;) Majors Hinds, Blan-» 
ehe. Carmac. St. Geme, Nieks, Chotard, Davis, 
Ilampton, T'atum. Lacalliere de la Tour, aud 
La Caste and Dagain, commanding two corps of 
coloured men \ Captains Uaker, Humphreys, 



HISTORY OE THE WAR. 2.«>a 

Savary, Beal, Ogden, Lewis, Livingston, Lefe- 
bre, Planchard, Smith, Griffin, Mahon, (killed,) 
Pace, rkilled,) and the brothers Lafitte and Do- 
minique, and Beiluche, (Barratarians ;) Lieu- 
tenants M'Clellan. (killed,) Diipy, Spotts, Kenv 
Alexis, Crawford, (killed,) and Leaeh ; Com- 
modore Patterson, Captain Henly, Lieutenants 
Kforris and Growly, and Midshipman Erasmus 
Watkins, of the Navy; iidsde-camp Thos. D* 
Butler, John Kead, Livingston, Duncan, Grymes. 
Duplessis, and De Castera ; Doctors Kerr and' 
Flood ; Judge Lewis, (volunteer ;) and Messrs. 
Chauveau, Hiriart^ Lalrobe, Gilbert, Bosquet, 
and Decoin. 

Several desperate characters, citizens of the 
United States, as well as foreigners, natives of 
different countries, had associated themselves in- 
to a band of pirates^ under the chief Lafiite, and 
had taken up their residence in the island of 
Barrataria, near the mouth of the Mississippi. 
The government of the United States caused this 
unlawful establishment to be broken up. The 
expedition agains^t the Barratarians, took posses- 
sion of all the piratical vessels, their prizes, andL 
a considerable quantity of arms and property, 
without opposition, on the 16th September, 1814;. 
The vessels thus taken, consisted of six schoo- 
ners, and one felucca, cruisers and prizes of the- 
pirates, one brig, a prize, and 2 armed schooners, 
both in line of battle with the armed vessels of 
the pirates. The establishment on shore, which 
was also taken possession of, consisted of about 
40 houses. The pirates had mounted on tlieir 
vessels -ZO pieces of cannon, of diffiirent calibres, 
and their number consisted. of between SOO and; 
1000 men, of all nations and colours. The ex- 
pedition against the pirates was ujider coanBancii 



29^ HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

of Com. Patterson, of the navy, having on boa»'d 
a detachment of Jand troops, under command of 
Col. Ross. 

The Barratarian pirates took part in the de- 
fence of New-Orleans, against the British, and 
were both active and serviceable. It was, also, 
satisfactorily ascertained, that they had, previ- 
ous to their dispersion, refused an alliance with 
the British, rejecting the most seducing terms 
of invitation. Induced by these considerations, 
and at the recommendation of the general as- 
sembly of the stsite of Louisiana, the President 
of the United States granted to such of them 
as aided in defence of New- Orleans, a full par- 
don for all offences against the laws of the Unit- 
ed States, committed previous to the 8th Janu- 
ary, 1S15. 

The enemy, after being defeated near New- 
Orleans, turned his attention to the state of 
Georgia; and, from appearances, intended a 
visit to Savannah. The unprepared state of 
Georgia, and the dreadful character of the en- 
emy, caused a great alarm among the inhabi- 
tants of the state. 

On the 11th January, iS15, the enemy, to 
the number of 1500 or 2000 men, effected a 
landing on Cumberland island. On the 13th, 
Point Petre was carried by storm ; and, on the 
following day, St. Mary's capitulated, in conse- 
quence of a fiag sent from the inhabitants of 
the town. The enemy evacuated Point Petre 
and St. Mary'^s, tl>e 21st January, after burning 
the barracks, asid blowing up the fori. Had the 
enemy attempted Savannah, he would have met 
a reception s^imilar to that exi)erieneed at New- 
Orleans. No people ever turned out more gen- 
erally, or with more alacrity, than the mea et 



HISTORY or THK WAR. 295 

Georgia. The irtilitia, in every part oT the 
state, were id motion, ulv^'n the iitws of peace, 
and retreat of the erjcniy reaebed tbeiii. Whsie 
the enemy was marchin;^ against Point Petre, 
Capt. jMassias, of the 1st (J. S. rifle corps, at the 
hend of 60 men, attempted to oppose 1000, com- 
mitted cousiderahie havoc among the enemy, 
and retreated, witli the loss of one killed, four 
wounded, and nine missing. 

The fortr^iss of Mohiie, within the limits of 
the purchase of Louisiana, had heen retained by 
the Spaniards, notwithstanding its purchase by 
the United States. The war between Great- 
Britain and the United States rendered it ne- 
cessary to occupy this place, lest it should fall 
into the possession of the enemy. On the 15tli 
April, 1813, General Wilkinson appeared before 
it, at the head of a respectable force ; when, the 
garrison being summoned to surrender, the S])a- 
iiish troops were immediately embarked for Pcn- 
saeola ; and Mohiie was taken possession of by 
the United States- troops. 

Peusacola, although a Spanish post, was not 
properly entitled to the character of neutral. — 
The conduct of the Spanish governor left no 
doubt as t& his attachment to the British, and 
his liostile disposition toward the United States. 

Pensacola was an asylum for hostile Indians | 
at Pensacola, they were armed, provisioned, and 
paid, Pensacola was a depot of British arms, 
a home for traitors to the United States, and a 
place of rendezvous for every ally of the enemy, 
whether white, black, or red. 

As soon as the war in Europe was likely to 
end, and Britain at liberty to direct her whole 
force against the United States, the understand- 
ing vyitU the governor of Florida, became Icsi^ 



S9& HISTORY 01 THE WAR. 

masked, and tlic British officers boldly dated 
their public acts from •< Head ({uarierSf Pensa- 
cola:' 

It was under these circumstanees determin- 
ed to attack the British at their head quarierSf 
and to storm the town, although defended by 
strong batteries, and supported by seven armed 
Bi'itish vessels in the bay. On the 7th Novem- 
ber, 1814, the attack was made, under the com? 
mand and direction- of General Jackson. The 
foU owing animated report of the assault, was, 
made by (iencral Jackson, in a letter to Govern- 
or Early : 

" I entered sword in hand, /with about 3000 brave 
followers, in the face of Spanish batteries, and a. 
British fleet of seven sail, anchored abreast and oppo- 
site the town. The English by intrigue and . base 
falsehood, induced the Spaniards lo abandon the works 
commanding' the harbour, entered them and blew 
them up, otherwise they would have fallen a sacri- 
fice to their own plans. When this took place, the 
ffeet being at liberty to go out, did so ; and 1 evacu- 
ated the town, leaving the Spaniards favourably im- 
pressed with our conduct, and disgusted with their 
British friends.'* 

Fort Bowyer was closely besieged by land and 
vater, on the ^tb February, 1815, by a very 
large force of t le enemy. The garrison con- 
sisted of 360 men, including officers, commanded 
by Lieut. Col. W. Lawrence. The enemy ad- 
Taneed by regular approaches, and was within 
certain musket shot of the parapets of the fort, 
on the land side, when the garrison was surren- 
dered, on the 12th, by capitulation. — There were 
but few lives lost on either side. 

On the 24)th February, six bJ^rges of the enemy; 
prttceeded up the river St. Mary's; with a vieyr 



¥ 



HISTOHT QV THE WAR. 297 

to burn the mills belonging to Mr. A. Clark.— 
They were opposed by a few patriots from the 
Florida shore, when the boats tacked about to 
retreat ; at this moment, about 30 mi n attacked 
them from an ambush on the opposite shore.— 
The enemy was thus placed between two fire*, 
which continued to gall him until he reached a 
part of the river, where, by keeping the centre, 
he was beyond the reach of the fire from both 
shores. I'he enemy lost upwards of 100 men. 
The Americans had only one man wounded. 

The U. S. ship President, Com. Decatur sail- 
ed on a cruise from New York, the 14th Janu-^ 
ary, 1815. The ship, in going over the bar, 
grou'ided. and suffered so much in consequence, 
as evidently to aifcct her sailing; and was the 
cause of hep subsequent capture, by a superior 
force of the enemy. At 5, a. m. on the 15th, 
the President fell in with the enemy's squadron, 
•onsisting of the Majestic, razee; Endymion, 
Pomone, Tenedos, and Despatch brig. Th« 
injury done to the President, when she ground- 
ed off the Hook, prevented her outsailing the 
enemy's fleet. The Endymion (mounting fifty 
guns,* 24 pouYiders, on the main deck) having ap- 
proached wi(hin gun-shot, commenced a firing 
at 5, f. M. more with a view to delay than to 
try strength with the President. The latter, 
however, was enabled to bring her guns so fap 
to bear, as to sile!*ce the Endymion, and to put 
ber, by 8 o'clock, fully out of combal, so much 
crippled, that she could, with great diffi -ulty, be 
worked, or kept afloat. IMie near approach of 
the other ships, obliged the President to aban- 
don a vessel, that must, if not supported by her 
consorts, have surrendered. The Pomone a? d 
Tenedos, came up and engaged the President at 



298 , HISTORY OF THfl VVAK, 

the same time, the Mi^jestic being also withia 
gun shot. It being; useless aiui impriKknt to 
engage so overpowii'ing a Ibr^e, Coin. Docatur 
struck his Hag, a id went on boaid the Majes- 
tic, where lie dt livered his sword to Capt. lla^ys, 
the senior officer of the squadron, who (politely 
i^turned it. The writien paiole granted la 
Com. Decatur, specified i»is having surrendered 
the President to a British sqiindrnn ; V<\uh si- 
lencing those who wtBlied to have it understood, 
that the Coiqmodore struitk ius ilag to a single 
ship. TSie prize money, arising from the cap- 
ture of the Presid fnt, Vk'as divided anjong the 
crews of the sq;iadi'on^ by which site \sixs cap- 
tured. 

The loss on board the enemy could not be as- 
eer(ained; that of J he President consisted ot 24 
liiHed, and 50 wounded. Among the killed, were 
Lieutenants BahhU, ilamilt<m, and Howell. 

Commodore Decatur, in his official report, 
wrote that *<a considerable number of his killed 
an(4 wounded was from the fire of the Ponione; 
a»jd that the Endymioa Ijad on board, in addition 
to hep own crew, 1 lieutenant, 1 master's mate, 
and 50 seamen, belonging to the Saturn; and 
when the action ceased, was left motionless and 
unmanageable, until she bent new sails, rove mnv 
rigging, and fished her spars ; nor did she join 
the squadi'on until six hours after the action, and 
tliree hours after the surreRder of the Presi- 
dent." 

TheU. S. frigate Constitui ion, Capt. Stewart, 
sailed from Boston, in December, 1814. \\hen 
off31adeira, on the evening of the 20th Febru- 
ary, 1815, she fell in with his Britannic majesty's 
ships Cyane and Levant, which she captured;,, 
after 'du aetlon of ^*0 minutes. 



HlSTOKY 0¥ THE "WAK. 

The Cyane is a frigate built ship, moutiting 
Bi carriage guns, viz. '-Z'i o2-pouiid carronades 
ou iiie guii-cretk, 8 18 pound carronades on the 
quarter-deck, two IS-pound carronades and two 
long i*'s, on the Ibrecastle, witli a complement 
0^180 men. I lie licvant mounted 21 carriage- 
guns, viz. 18 32 pound carroitades, two long 9's, 
ad a shifVing 12-ponnder, on the topgallant 
forecastle, with a complement of 156 men. — 
•J'he enemv's vessels suftt r<»d severely in spars, 
rigging and siils. The Constitution receiTed 
liuJe injury, having hut four men killed, and 10 
•wounded. ' The Cyane had seven killed, and 17 
-w -uuded ; the Levant 9 killed, and 17 wounded. 
On the 12fh March, the Corsstitution and her 
prizes, fill in with tiiree British frigates. I'lic 
IVigiics kept togetliei\ in chase of the Constitu- 
tion, lest, hy separating they might he captured 
ill succession. The Cons(i<ution outsailed and 
escaped tUe enemv's *;qu«idron ; the Cyane arriv- 
ed at New-York; and the Levant was attacked 
and taken hy the British squadron, in the har- 
bour of Porto Prava, in the Island of St. Jago, 
in violation of the neutrality of the port, and 
contraiy to the laws of nations. The Consti- 
tution arrived sifeh in the United States. 

On the 19ih JuU. 1813, the U. S. hrig of war 
Svren, of 1^ gu;?-, wvs oapUired after a chase 
of 11 hours, hv lis Hriiannic majesty's frigate 
Med way. During tfie chase the l^yren threw 
overboard all her guns, boats, anchors, cables, 
and spars. 

On the 2.=ith Mav, 181.^, the President of the 
t'nited States inforuu <! (Congress, llrat his nia- 
jj 'siv the Emperor of Russia, had offered lis 
'mediation, in ord^ r to facilitate a peace between 
Ciieal lirilain and ihe United Stales, that the 



^0« HISTORY OP THE WAtt. 

olTiM* was accepted by the President, and that 
1 vte citizens had been commissioned to treat 
a'coidingly. 

On ihe meeting of Congress in December lol* 
lo ving, the President, in his message to both 
houses, informed them, that Great Britain had 
declined negotiating under the mediation of 
Kussia. 

Notwithstanding this refusal of the British 
government, to accept the Russian mediation^ 
the British ambassador, at the court of 8t. Fe- 
tor sburg, directed a letter, in September, to the 
Rns8ian government, intimating a desire to 
treat immediately with the American plenipo- 
tentiiiries. 

Lord Castlereagh, secretary of state to his 
Britannic mi jes^y. encl(;sed a copy of the above 
Dote in a letter of the 4th November, to the 
sseretar^ of state of the United Stvttes, at the 
eiiv of VVashington, proposing thut the two go- 
\«^rnnients woutd enter into diiect negotiation^ 
fop a termination of the war, on terms that 
vould be mutuaiSy advantageous; and that the 
ii»'4::otiations would he entered into at Gotten^ 
!)u»g o< London. I'he proposition was prompt- 
ly accrded to by the American government, fix- 
ing on Gottenburg as the p-ace of negotiation. 

The senate confirmed, on the 19th January, 
5814, -the nomination, by the President, of John 
Quiney Adams. James A. Bayard, Hei>ry Clay, 
tituf Jonathan Russell, as ministers to treat for 

!)eace with British commissioners at Gotten- 
mrg. It was afterward agreed, that the treaty 
should be held at Ghent. 

So indecisive and equivocating was the con- 
duct of British minist' rs. that many perso';s 
doubted whether any coaimissionerfi woubl )».« 



HISTORY or THE WAE. 301 

appointed on the part of Britain ; and, Mhen 
appointed, it was pretty generally believed that 
the appointment was merely p'o forma, without 
any intention to agree to reasonable terms of 
peace. 

The British government appointed, as their 
commissioners, Lord Gambier, lleni'y Goulburn, 
Esq. and William Adams, Esq. These person- 
ages arrived at Ghent the 6th August. 

At the first meeting with the American com- 
missioners, terms were offered on the part of 
England, so degrading and offensive to the United 
States, that it was impossible to accept them ; 
and, as some of them were offered in the form 
of a sine qua non, there remained not a hope of 
a speedy negotiation of hostilities. . 

The news, when arrived in the United States, 
roused at once, (he pride and the energy of the 
nation ; and produced an union of sentiment, that 
presaged future glory and success. 

It was now evident, that the negociations at 
Ghent, hung on those then pending beft>re a con- 
gress of the ministers of several potentates, as- 
sembled at Vienna, for settling a general peace 
in Europe. 

It is easy to conceive, that the task to be per- 
formed by the congress at Vienna, was difficult. 
Wrapped up in state secrecy, and influenced by 
state intrigues, the course of negociation at Vi- 
enna, was, in a great degree, withheld from the 
public eye. The continued armaments of Eu- 
ropean powers, and the military parade with 
which the Duke of Wellington appeared in Bel- 
gium, even before the Emperor of Elba ceased 
to be a pensioner of Louis XVIII, led to sus- 
picion, that the rights of European sovereigns 
must be settled by a new effusion of the blood of 
their subjects. a a 



^0^ HISTORY OF THE AVAR. 

AVhatever motive may have infliiencet! the 
British government, it is certain, that a very 
sudden change of tone was produced on their 
part. The consequence was, that a treaty of 
peace, between Great Britain and the United 
States, was signed at Ghent, the 24jth December, 
1814, by Lord Gambier, Henry Goul bourn, and 
William Adams, as commissioners on the part 
of England ; and by John Quiney Adams, J. A. 
Bayard, Henry Clay, Jonathan Russell, and Al- 
bert Gallatin, as commissioners on the part of 
the United States ; ratified at London the 28th 
of the same month, and ratified at the city of 
Washington, on the 17th February, 1815. 

The terms of the treaty being considered 
honourable to the country, and satisfactory to 
the citizens, their ratification was followed by 
the most general and enthusiastic joy, accom- 
panied by illuminations, &c. &c. in every part of 
the union. 

Measures, early as possible, were taken to 
bring home, and restore to their country and 
friends, a great number of American prisoners, 
confined in the depots in England. Among 
these were many, who, having been impressed, 
and forced to serve the British government for 
many years before the war, had, on that occa- 
sion, refused to fight against their country and 
friends ; and were, in consequence, treated as 
prisoners of war, although not taken in time of 
war, or in arms. 

An unfortunate event prevented many of the 
unhappy prisoners from revisiting their country ; 
or sent them to it, with marks of British bar- 
barity, wliieh will remain on them for fife. 

On the 6th April, 1815, Capt. T. G. Short- 
land, keeper of the prison of Dartmoor, having 



HISTORY OP THE WAR. SOS 

discovered a small hole in one of the inner walls 
of the prison, made it a pretext for drawing out 
the army against the prisoners. The alarm bell, 
instead of causing the prisoners to retreat to 
their prisons, induced many of them to press 
forward to discover the cause : this was certain- 
ly more a proof of innocence, than of any pre- 
meditated attempt to escape from a place whence 
they must have been soon released without 
the risk of life. The measures taken, by or- 
der of Shortland, previous to the massacre, were 
calculated to prevent the return of the priso- 
ners who were thus left the more exposed to 
the fire of the soldiery. While thus embarrass- 
ed, they were charged by the soldiery ; and 
while running in great confusion to discover the 
few doors left open for their escape into the pri- 
son, they were fired on by the centinels on the 
walls. In this manner, zd\en were killed, and 60 
wounded. A committee of the prisoners investi- 
gated this transaction, and gave in their report, 
all the appearance of a foul and premeditated 
murder. 

The British government in order to lessen this 
stigma on its officers, agreed to have an investi- 
gation made by two persons, one to be appoint- 
ed by the British minister, the other by the 
American. F. S. Larpent was appointed by the 
former, and Charles King by the latter. The re- 
port of these commissioners certainly softened 
the apparent cuipability of Shortland, but the 
correctness of the report has been denied by the 
prisoners, not by any wilful representation of the 
commissioners, but from a want of sufficient in- 
formation or inquiry. 

The subject of Dartmoor is referred to, for 
the purpose of directing the readers to the period 



S04 histohy of the wxh, 

of the massacre, but without the intention of en- 
tering into a detail, which the present limits will 
not allow. 

Althou.gjh a ratified treaty of peace liad been 
exchanged, at Washington, on the i 7th Febru- 
ary, yet by its articles, captures made in distant 
seas were allowed, until certain periods after the 
date of ratification. The eyents produced during 
this time, proved both honourable and advanta- 
geous to the Americans. 

At half past 10, A. M. the 23d March, 1815, 
Captain Biddle, commanding the United States' 
sloop Hornet, bein.ej off the north end of the is- 
land of Tristan d'Acunha, discovered a sail to 
the southward and eastward. He immediately 
made sail for her. At one, 40, P. M. an action 
commenced. After a well fought engagement, 
of 22 minutes, the enemy cried for quarters, and 
"was taken possession of by the victorious Ameri- 
can. She proved to be his Britannic majesty's 
brig Penguin, mounting 16 32-pound carronades, 
S long twelves, a 12-pound carronade on the top- 
gallant forecastle, with swivels on the capstern in 
the tops : she had a spare port forward, so as to 
fight both her long guns of aside. The enemy 
had a complement of 132 men, 12 of whom were 
supernumerary marines, from the Med way, 74, 
After the prisoners were removed, and some pro- 
visions and stores taken from the Penguin, she 
was, by order of Captain Biddle, scuttled and 
sunk, her crippled and riddled state rendering it 
unadvisable to attempt sending her to the United 
States. 

" This ship (said Captain Biddle, in his official 
report,) did not receive a single shot in her hull, nor 
any material wound in her spars ; the rigging and 
sails were very much cut ; but having bent a new 



HISTORT OF THE WAK. 305 

set of sails, and knotted and secured our rigging, we 
are now completely ready, in all respects, for any 
service. We were eight men short of complement, 
and had nine upon the sick list, the morning of the 
action." 

The enemy acknowledged a loss of fourteea 
killed, and twenty-eight wounded ; but Mr. 
Mayo, who was in charge of the prize, said that 
the number was certainly greater. Capt. Dick- 
enson, the commander of the Penguin, was killed, 
and the boatswain, second lieutenant, purser, and 
two midshipmen, wounded. Each of the mid-- 
shipmen lost a leg. 

The officers of the Penguin relate, that, dur- 
ing the action with the Hornet, a thirty-two 
pound shot came in at the after-port of the Pen- 
guin, on the larboard side — carried away six 
legs, killed the powder boy of the division, cap- 
sised the opposite gun on the starboard side^ 
passed through the port, and " sunk in sullen si- 
lence to the bottom.'^ 

The war between the United States and Great 
Britain, left a favourable opportunity for the pi- 
rates of Africa, to prey on the persons and pro- 
perty of the Americans. The Algerines declared 
war, and fitted out a fleet accordingly. 

Having given in pages 21 and 22, the list of 
the American Navy, as it stood at the com- 
mencement of the war with Great Britain, it 
may be considered interesting to know how the 
Lilliputian navy stood at the end of the war^ 
which was to ^^ blow it out of the water.'^ The 
following is the naval list of shipping, in April, 
1816. Those vessels whose names are marked 
{*) are such as remain of the naval force before 
th@ war. Those marked (§) are building. Thts'e 
anarked ia italic are such as were captm^ed fsom 
A a ^ 



S06 



HISTORY or THE WAK. 



the British, during the war. The rest have heen 
built or purchased during the war. Those that 
are blank have no armament at present. 



Rates. Names of Vessels. 



Commanders. 



Station, kc. 



Ship Independence 


Com. Wm.Bainbridge 


Boston 


Washington 


Capt. L Chauncey 


do 


Franklin 




Philadelphia 


New-Orleans § 




Sacket's Harbor 


Chippewa §, 




do. do. 


Guerriere, flag ship 
United States* 


Com. S. Decatur 


Boston 


J. Shaw 


Mediterranean 


Java 


0. H. Perry 


do. 


Constitution* 


C. Stewart 


Boston 


Plattsbiugh § 




Sacket's Harbour 


Superior 




do. do. 


Constellation* 


C. Gordon 


Mediterranean 


Congress'^ 


C. Morris 


Mediterranean 


Macedonian 


L. WarringloD 


do. 


Mohawk 




Sacket's Harbor 


Confiance 




Lake Champlain 


Cyane 




New-York 


Saratoga 




Lake Champlain 


John Adams 


E. Trenchard 


Mediterranean 


General Pike 


W. W. Crane 


Sacket's Harbor 


Madison 




do. do. 


Alert 


W. Stewart 


Mediterranean 


Hornet* 


J. Biddle 


New-York 


Wasp 


J. Blakely 


At Sea 


Peacock 


L. Rodgers 
J. D. Elliot 


New-York 


Ontario 


Mediterranean 


Erie 


C. P. Ridgely 

C. C. B. Thompson 


do. 


Louisiana* 


New-Orleans 


Brig Jefferson 
.Jones 




Sacket's Harbour 


M. T. Woolsey 


do. d». 


Eperoier 
Niagara 


J. Downs 


At Sea 




Lake Erie 


Lawrence 




Erie, Penn. 


Detroit 




do. do. 


Eagle 
Sylph 
Chippewa 




Lake Champlain 
Sacket's Harbour 




P. C. Read^ 


New-York 


Queen Charlotte 




Erie, Pen. 


Saranac 




New-York 


Linnet 




Lake Champlain 


Boxer 


J. Porter 


New-York 


Troup 
Onieda 




Savannah 


T. Brown 


Sacket's Harbour 


Enterpr ze* 


L. Kearny 


New-York 


Flambeau 


J. B. Nicholson 


do. 


Firefly 


G. W. Rodgers 


do. 


Spark 
Hunter 


T. Gamble 


do. 




Erie,?e 


Prometheus 


A. S. Wadsworlh 


Boston 


Ghent 




Erie, Pena 


Caledonia 




Do. do. 


Etna, bomb 


L. Alexi 


New-Orleans 


Schr. Ticonderoga 




Lake Champlain 


Nonsuch 


Trant 


West Indies 


Si>itfire 


A. J. Dallas 


Kew-Yerk, 



BISTORT or THE WAR. 



107 



Rates. 


JVame* of Vessds. 
Torch 


W 


Commanders. 


Station, kc. 


JO 


. Chauncey 


Do, 


10 


Lady Prevost 






Erie, Penn. 


9 


Tom Bowline 


Hoflman 


New-York 


9 


Alligator 






New-York 


7 


Roanoke 


B. 


D. Conkley 


Wilmington, N. C. 


7 


r irebrand 






New-Orleans 


7 


Surprise 






Do. 


8 


Conquest 






Sacket's Harbour 


5 


Hornet 


F. 


Forrest 


Washington, D. C 


5 


Lynx 


T. 


Dukehart 


New-York 


4 


Fair American 






Sacket's Harbour 


4 


Helen 






Newcastle, Del. 


3 


Despatch 






Norfolk 


8 


Asp 


W 


. Atkinson 


Baltimore 


3 


Porcupine 






Erie, Penn. 


3 


Lady of the Lake 






Sacket's Harbour 


8 


Pert 






Do. do. 


2 


Governor Tompkins 




Do. do. 


1 


Ranger 
Ontario 






Baltimore 
Sacket's Harbour 


1 


Amelia 






Erie, Penn. 


2 

1 


Asp 
Raven 






Sacket's Harbour 
Do, do. 


12 Sloop President 






Lake Champlain 


11 


Finch 






Do. do. 


11 


Chubb 






Do. do. 


7 


Preble 






Do. do. 


6 


Monteomery 






Do. do. 


5 


Buffaloe 






Philadelphia 


5 


Camel 






Do. 


2 


Tickler 






New-Orleans 


2 Galled 


r Allen 






Lake Champlain 


2 


BurroWiS 






Do. do. 


«> 


Boser 






Do. do. 


2 


Ifettle 






Do. do. 


2 


Viper 






Do. do. 


2 


Centipede 






Do. do. 


1 


Ludlow 






Do. do. 


1 
1 


Wilmer 

jCTwyn 

Ballard 






Do. do. j 
Do. do. 








Do. do. 


Ketch 


Spitfire 
Vesuvius* 






Norfolk 








New-York 




Vengeance 






Do. 


Barges 


from No. 1 to 15, 


inclusiTe, on Lake Ontario, mountiaz eack 


guns, and 


now at Sacket's Harbour. 




The old gun-boats have been chiefly sold. 





It would be a curious question in political arith- 
metic, to determine what number of American 
ships and their rates, woukl be sufficient to des- 
troy the British navy, taking the naval events of 
the late war as a scale by which to calculate ; and 
how long it would take to provide the necessarv 
number of vessels, taking the increase of the nav^p. 
during the war, as a ratio ? 



308 HISTORY 01 THE WAK. 

LIST OF AMERICAN PRIZES, 

Which have arrived, or been <^ satisfactorily ac- 
counted for, « with the name of the Privateers, 
&e. and the number captured by each vessel, 
during the war. 

Abaellino of Boston • ' 10 

U. S. ship Adams lO 

Boat Alert, of Biulington, Lake Champlaia i 

Alexander of Salem S 

Alfred of Salem fi 

Amelia of Bath 1 

Amelia of Baltimort 2ft 

America of Salem 84 

Apaconda of New- York 9 

Argo of Baltimore 1- 

U. S. brig Argus 2| 

Argus of Boston 4 

Atlass of Philadelphia * 

Avon of Boston 2 

Baltimore of Baltimore 3 

Bellona of Philadelphia * 

U. S. Barges » 

Black Joke of New-York 2 

Blakely of Boston S 

Boats from Buffaloe 9 

Brutus of Boston S 

Buckskin of Salem 4 

Bunkerhill of New- York « 

Cadet of Salem 2 

Caroline of Baltimore 39 

Catharine of Boston 1 

Champlaia Privateer f 

Charles Stewart of Bosto« t 

Chasseur of Baltimore 27 

Chauncey's squadron on Lake OntiU'i*^ 22 

U. S. frigate Chesapeake ' 4 ^ 

Comet of Baltimore 3» 

V. S. frigate Congress 4. 

U. S. frigate Constitutioa 12 

Custom House Barge 1 

Dart of Portland 6 

Bash of Portland 9 

David Porter of N. York r 

David Porter of Boston 8 

Decatur of Newburyport 6 

Decatur of Charleston tX 

Delisle of Baltimore 3 

Diamond of Baltimore 1 

Diomede of Salem 1 

Divided we fall of New-lei l^^ IB 

Dolphin of Baltimore T 

Dolphin of Salem 17 

Dromo of Boston ~ 1 

Eagle of Charlestoa 9 

£liza 1' 

U. S. brig Enterpriit 5^- 

17. S. frigate £s6«x 12: 

Kssex Junior 9 

Sxpedition of Baltioir^r* ^ 

Jus Irsdcr of dslem % 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 309 



Fairy of Baltimore 2 

Fame of Salem 10 

Fame of ThomastowB 1 

Flirt of N.York 1 

rij 2 

Fox of Salem 4 

Fox of Baltimore 2 

Fox of Portsmouth 28 

Franklin of N. York 9 

V, S. sloop of war Frolic I 

Frolic of Salem 12 
Full blooded Yankee ' 1 

Galloway of N. York 1 

General Armstrong of New-York 18 

General Stark of Salem 4 

General Putman of Salem 1 

Globe of Baltimore 7 

Gossamer of BostoQ 1 

Governor Tompkins of N. York 22 

Governor M'Kean of Philadelphia 3 

Gorernor Plumer of Poilsrooutk S 

Grampus of Baltim(^e 7 

Grand Turk of Salem 21 

Growler 4 

U. S. Gun-boats 20 

Harpy of Baltimore J 3 

Harrison of Baltimore S 

Hawk of Washington N. C. 1 

Hazard " 1 

Henry Guilder of N. Y- 1 

Herald of N. York 3 

Hero of N. York 5 

Hero of Newbern 2 

Hero of Stoninjton 1 

High Fiver of Baltimore 7 

Holkar of N. York 6 

Boat Holkar 1 

Hope 1 

U. S. sloop of war Hornet 4 

Hunter 1 

Ida of Baltimore 1 

Ida of Boston 1 

Industry of Lynn 3 

Industry of Marblehead 1 

Industry of Salem 8 

Ino of Boston 2 

Invincible of N. York S 

luvincible of Salem 4 

Jack's Favourite of N. York S 

Jacob Jones of Boston 3 

James Munroe £ 

Jefferson of Salem 6 

Joel Barlow 2 

Jonquil of N. York 5 

John of Salem 12 

John and George 1 

Kemp of Baltimore IS 

Lady Madison of Wilmington, N. *. 1 

On Lake Superior 2 

On Lake Huron S 

On Lake Cbamplain S 

Lark 1 

Lawrence of Baltimore 14 

Leach of Salem 2 

Leader of Providence R. L 1 

Lcander of Providence 1 



4 



3i0 HISTORY OP THE VfAJBi^ 

Leo of Baltimore 14 

Leo of Boston 8 

Liberty of Baltimore 7 

Little George of Boston 1 

Letter of Marque, of Wilmington, 3 

Lovely Cordelia of Charleston 2<J 

Lovely Lass of Charleston 1 

Lyon of Marblehead 

Macedonian of Baltimore 1 

Macedonian of Boston 6. 

Macedonian of Portsmouth 9t 

Madison of Salem T 

M ar en go of N . Yo rk 3 

Mammoth of Baltimore 25 

M<Donough of Rhode-Island 2 

M'Donou^h of Boston 7 

Mars of Norfolk 3 

Mars of H. York 4 

Mars of New-London 2 

Mary Ann of Charleston 5 

Matilda of Philadelphia 1 

Midas of Baltimore 10 

On Mobile Bay 2 

Morgiana of N. York 6 

Montgomery of Salem 6 

Nancy 1 

Ned of Baltimore 1 

Nonpareil of Charleston 1 

N onsuch of Baltimore 4 

U. S. schooner Nonsuch 1 

Orders in Council of New-York 5 

Orlando of Gloucester 3 

Patriot of New-York 9 

Paul Jones of New-York 1 1 

Perry of Baltimore 24 

Perry's squadron on Lake Erie 9 

U. S. sloop of war Peacock 15 

Patapsco of Baltimore 3 

Pike of Baltimore 13 



HISTORT OF tHE YfXR. 



»11 



Pilot of Baltimore 


3 


Polly of Salem 


7 


Portsmouth of Portsmouth N. H. 


9 


Poor Sailor of Charleston 


1 


Prince of Neufchatel 


35 


Rambler of Bristol 


2 


Rambler of Boston 


5 


Ranger of Boston 


S 


Rapid of Boston 


4 


Rapid of Charleston 


4 


U. S. brig Rattlesnake 


4 


Rattlesnake of Philadelphia 


25 ^ 


Regulator 


1 -^ 


Reindeer of Boston 


6 ^ 


Resolution of Boston 


^ ^ 


Retaliation of New-York 


X .Wl 


Revenge of Baltimore 


9 


Revenge;?ff Norfolk 


2 


Revenge |)f Philadelphia 


3 


Revenge of Salem 


5 


Revenue Cutters 


5 


Roger of Norfolk , 


S 


Roger of Baltimore 


3 


RoUa of Baltimore 


n 


Commodore Rodgers*s squadron 


19 


Rosamond of New-York 


3 


Rossie of Baltimore 


14 


Rover of N. York 


1 


Row-boat privateer 


2 


Sabine of Baltimore 


5 


At Sandy Creek, by riflemen 


5 


Sarah Ann of Baltimore 


1 


Saranac of Baltimore 


2 


Saratoga of N. York 


1» 


Scourge of N. York 


29 


Saucy Jack of Charleston 


27 


Shark of N. York 


1 


Sine-qua-non of Boston 


1 


Scorpion of Salem 


2 


Siro of Baltimore 


a 



S12 HlSTOET OE THE WAR. 



Snap Dragon of Newbern N. C. 


23 


Snowbird of Salsm 


2 


Sparrow of Baltimore 


2 


Spark of N. York 


3 


Spy of New-Orleans 


1 


Surprise of Baltimore 


36 


United States' brig Syren 


2 


Syren of Baltimore 


r 


On the St. Lawrence 


8 


TeazerofiST. York 


13 


Terrible (boat) 


5 


Thomas of Portsmouth 


5 


Timothy Pickering 


1 


Tom of Baltimore 


4 


True-blooded Yankee 


27 


Two Brothers of New-Orleans 


1 


Two Friends of Massachusetts 


1 


Tuckahoe of Baltimore 


2 


U. S. frigate United States 


1 


Ultor of Baltimore 


19 


United We Stand of N. York 


1 


Uoton (a pr^e ship) 


r 


Viper of N. York 


3 


Viper of Salem 


1 


Warrior of N. York 


9 


U. ^. ship of war Wasp 


16 


Wasp of Baltimore 


2 


W^asp of Philadelphia 


2 


Washington o Portland 


1 


Whig of Baltimore 


14 


Yankee of Bristol R. I* 


38 


Yankee (smack) 


2 


Yorktown of N. York 


5 


York of Baltimore 


10 


Young Eagle of N. York 


2 


Young Teazer of N. York 


6 


Young Wasp of Philadelphia 


11 


Sundry vessels, names not known 


16 


Total,— .1634 



APPENDIX, 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



ALGEBINE WAR. 

The Dey of Algiers took advantage of (li6 
ViSLV between England and ilie Unifed Slatos. as 
aionvenirnt oppoviunilv to atta> k the trade, ami 
to capture the citizens of the latter power. On 
the Zo([ February, 1815, the ruHovvin^ confiden- 
tial message from the President of tlie Uoitttl 
States, was delivered to both houses of eongresis ; 

7'o the Se?iats and House of RefircssnCati-vea of the 
United States. 

Congress will have seen, by the coxnmunicatioa 
from the consul general of the United States at Al- 
giers, laid before them on the 17th IVoveiriber, 1812, 
the hostile proceedings of the De\ against that fuac- 
tionary. These have been followed by acts of more 
overt and direct warfare ijguinst the citizens of the 
U ited States trading in the Mediterranean, some of 
■whom are still ietuined in captivity, notwithstanding 
the attempts which have been made to ransom them, 
-and are treated wiLii the rigour usual on the coa^t of 
Barbary. 

The considerations which ren:1ered it unnecessary^ 
and unimportant to comm ntje hostile operations oa 
the p tof the United States, being now terminated 
by the peace with Gicat Britain, which opens the' 



Sli APP1EXDIX. 

prospect of an active and valuable trade of th&if 
citizens within the ran^-e of the Algerine cruisers, I 
recommend to congress the expediency of an act 
declaring the existence of a state of war between the 
United States and the Dey of Algiers ; and of such 
provisions as ma} be requisite for a vigorous prose* 
-cutlon of it to a successful issue. 

JAMES MADISOiN'. 

Washington, Feb. 23, 1815. 

A law of congress was, after (he usual forms, 
passed, empowering (he Presiden( to take mea- 
sures for (he proteedon of the commerce and 
seamen of the United States ; and als^o to employ 
the public armed vessels, and (o commission pri- 
vate armed vessels, (o act offensively against the 
vessels, goods, effect, and subjects of the Dey 
df Algiers. 

This measure was not adopted until after (be 
most sa(isfac(oi'y assurances of (he hostilit;^ of 
the De;^, and that be had ac(uallj put an end, by 
liis unprovoked aggressions, (o (be irea(y sub- 
sisting between him and the United Elates. In 
July, 1812, the Dej extorted from (he Americdn 
consul general, a large sum of mone^jin lieu of 
a quantity of military stores, which be refused (o 
accept, falsely alledging that they were not equ.l 
in quality or quantity to those stipu!a(ed by the 
existing treaty ; and then compelled the consul 
and citizens of the United States to quit bis do- 
minions. On the 25th August following, the 
American brig Edwin, of Salem, was taken by 
an Algeiine corsair, and carried into Algiers, as^ 
a prize. Mr. Pollavd, of Norfolk, being found 
on board a Spanish vessel, >Yas also detained as 
a citizen of the United States ('aptain Smithy 
the njaster of (he Edwin, and Mr. Pollard, were 
in)t coiifincd to hard labour ^ but the rest of the 



enptains, with the exception of two of tliem, 
Avhuse release had been eff.reted, midei* circum- 
stances not indicating an^V change of hostile tem- 
per on t!ie part of the Dey, were subjected to the 
%vell known horrors of Algerine slavery. An 
effort of the United States' goverunient, to cfTeet 
the release of the citizens, by treaty, and the 
payment of a large sum of money, had failed. 

There never was a war commenced with ii 
greater share of general approbation; and it re- 
mained a wondei-, that one public journal, (the 
Connecticut Mirror) sliouMcouuemn a measurti 
wliich had for its object the releas?iicnt from 
slavery, of eleven American citizens, llse punish- 
ment of barbarism, justly detested by (he civili- 
zed world, and the putting into glorious prac- 
tice, the popular sentiment, ** millions J'ov de- 
fcncei but not a cent for tnhnlc.'" 

A private letter from Lisbon, dated 2d May„ 
18 15^ stated, on the authority of advices froiii 
Cadiz, that the Algerine admiral iiad put to sea# 
with a fleet consisting of 4 frigates, 6 corvettes, 
2 brigs, 1 zebee, 1 schooner, 1 galley, 40 gun- 
boats, and tl bombards, in ail 66 vessels, mount- 
ing A6o guns, and having on board a745 men ; tba 
supposed object was to cruise for American ves- 
sels. 

The force destined by the United States, to 
punish the enemy, was to consist of the Inde- 
pendence, 7^<, Guerriere. i i, Macedonian, 3S, 
Congress and Constellation, 3G, Erie, Ontaria. 
and ICpervier, 18, Chippewa, 16, Flambeau and 
Spark, 1.J, Spitfire and Torch, 10, and Lynx, 
(tender) 1 long 21; in all ii vessels, carrying. 
400 guns. Some immaterial alteration was af- 
terward made in this arrangement. 



fie APPENDIX. 

On tlie ISth Mav, 1815, the Uniied S(a<ps' 
sqjis^dron, destined for Uie MediterrHuean, sailed 
from New- York : It consisted of the IVigutes 
GueJTsere, (Com. l>ecatu!*'s fl'a|2j ship) Captain 
L(^vvis ; Macedonian, Captain Jones ; Coiistc lla- 
lion, Captain Gordon; sIoo|> af war Ontario, 
CapJain Elliot; hrit^y Epervier, Captain Downs j 
Fire Fly, Rogers ; tlamheau, Nicholson ; Spark? 
Gamble; schooners Spitfire, Dallas^ and Torch, 
Ciiaiiiuej. 

Tliis squadron was followed by that umhis? 
foinmand of Com. Bainbridge, consistinf^ of tlie 
Independcnee, 7i), sloop of war Erie, 18, brig 
Chippewa, ItJ, and schooner Lynx. 

1 he United States' bsigs Baxer, Saranae, and 
Enlei prize sailed, in xVuj^ist, for the Mediterra- 
nean, liie brig Eire-FJy had sailed some timo 
previous for the same destination, but was com- 
pelled to return to repair damages sustained in a 
gale. The Ontario, and some of the light ves- 
sels arrived at Gibraltar on the 13th June, and 
Commodore Decatur, with the rest of his squadv 
ioii, on the 14(h ; and, on the evening of that 
day, all the vessels proceeded to their destina- 
tion. 

The following letters will explain some of the 
proceedings in the Mediterranean. 
Copy of a letter from the American consul at Alir 
cantc, to the secretary of state, dated, 

Alicante, June 2]st, 1815. 

Sir — I have the honour to inform you, that, by a 
Jetter this moment received from my vice-consul, 
Nicholas Briale, at Carthagena, I learn that the first 
division of our squadron, under Commodore Decatur, 
kad appeared oft* that port, and sent in an Algerine 
frigate of 44 guns and 500 men, captured off Cape 
^c Gatt, after a short engag-emcpt, ^unng which thp 



APPEjjDix. Sir 

commander of the Algerine was killer!. Our los3 
consisted of four men. The Commodore had sent 
in a schooner for refreshment, and other necessaries, 
with which she immediately sailed for the fleet. — • 
The prize must perform ten days quarantine. I 
shall set off witliin two hours for that place in ordei- 
to mike further provision for the fleet, if necessary, 
and render every other service in my power — from 
thence I shall have the honour of addressing jou, 
and advise what further may occur. 

With sentiments of the highest respect, I am, sir, 
your most obedient servant, 

ROBERT MONTGOMERY. 
To the honourable the secretary of state. 

Copy of a letter from the American consul at Cadiz 
to the secretary of statr, dated 

Consulate of the United States,, 
Cadiz^ June 27, 1816. 
Sir — I have much pleasure in referring you to the 
s-ubjoined statement, for the interesting and impor- 
tant informaiioii it contains, which I doubt not, in a 
great part may be relied on. The informant adds, 
that about 400 prisoners had been landed from the 
prize frigate, and that but few had been saved from 
the brig. The wind b^ing now from the S. W. 
makes it probable that the particulars of this action 
from the commodore, will not come to hand for some 
days. 

With much respect, I have the honour to be, &c„ 
RiCH'D S. HACKLEY. 
Hon. James Monroe^ secrciarij cf state. 

A letter of which the foliowinf^ is a copy, au- 
nounced the arrival of the American squadroi? 
at Gibrahap, after a passage af "ib days, 

€opy of a letter from Commodore Decatur to the 
secretary of the navy, (receivofl vr;j. Norfolk' 



SIS ArpE.^DlX^ 

Ihiited States'' ship. Giierrttrey 
Off Gibraltar^ June 15,1816. 

Sir — I have the honour to inform you of our ar» 
rival off tijis place on the 15th, after a passage of 25 
clays, having previously communicated with Cadiz 
and Tangiers. The Spitfire, Torch, and Firefly, 
separated from the squadron during a gale of wind 
on the 26th ult. and the Ontario on the 3 1st. 

I am happy to find they have, with the exception of 
the Firefly, all arrived ; the latter vessel I fear may- 
have lost her spars, and have returned to the United 
States. From all the information I can collect, I feel 
aasured, that the Algerines have returned into th& 
IMediterranean. The vessels that had separtited froni 
US, are now joining, and 1 shall proceed in search of 
the enemy forthwith. 

1 have the honour to be, respectfully, Sec. 

STEPHEN DECATUR. 

Tiic commodore los^t no tiiite in the prosrcu- 
lion ol'his ohjcct ; scarcely arrived in the MecU- 
lerraiiean, he commciieed to pay trilmte to the 
barbarians, as will behest explained by his letter 
to the secretary of war, of which the following 
is a copy : 

Mxtract of a. letter from Commodore Stephen Deca- 
tur, to the secretary^ of the navy^ (received via 
Aorfol/CfJ dated, 

United States* ship Guerriere, 
Oft Carthagena, June 19, 1815. 
" T have the honour to inform you, that on the 1 7th 
Jnst. off Cape de Gatt, the squadron fell in with and 
ciaptured an Al^erine frigate of 46 guns, and between 
4 and 500 men, commanded by Rais Hammida, who 
bore the title of admiral ; she struck her flag after 
a running fight of 'Id minutes. 

" The admiral was killed at the commencement oi' 
ihe action. After the Guerriere (who from her fa- 
vourable position was enabled to bring the enemy to 
tlciEe uction) hud fired two- broadsides; the enemy,,. 



with the exception of a few musketeejrs, ran below. 
The Guerriere hud four men wounded by mubket 
shot which is the only injury done by the enemy in 
this affair. 

" We have 406 prisoners, including the wounded. 
The prisoners state that about thirty were killed and 
thrown overboard. 

" Their squadron is said to be cruising in our vi- 
cinity : five days ago they were off this place ; unless 
I obtain some further intelligence of them by tomor- 
row, I shall proceed to the port of Algiers, in the 
hopes to intercept their return. For the present, I 
have determined to send the prize into Carthagena.*' 

On the 20tli June, the Commodore communi- 
cited a second victory, in a letter, in the follow- 
ing words : 
Copy of a letter from Commodore Decatur to the 
Secretary of the ]??avy, dated 

United States* shifi Guerriere, off" 

Cafie PaLos^ June 20. 1815. 

Sir — I have the honour to inform you that on the 
19th inst off cape Palos, the squadron under my com- 
mand captured an Algerine Brig of twenty-tv/o guns, 
and one hundred aud eighty men. After a chase of 
three hours, she ran into shoal water, where 1 did 
not think it advisable to follow with our large ships, 
but despatched the Epervier, Spark, Torch, amd bpit» 
fire to whom she surrendered, after a short resis- 
tance. Twenty -three men were found dead on board. 
We received from her eighty prisoners, the residue 
of her crew hav'ng left her in boats. Many of them 
must have been killed by the fire of our vessels, and 
one of the boats was sunk. None of our vessels sus- 
tained any damage, nor was there a man killed or 
•wounded. This brig is larger than the Epervier — . 
WHS built in Algiers, five years ago, by a Spanish 
constructor, the same who built the frigate captured 
wn the I7ih inst. and is perfectly sound. 

I have the honour to be, very respectfully, Sec. 
STEPHEN DJiCATUE; 



S^9 APPENDIX. 

Commodore Bainhridge anivefl atCarthagsna 
eai'J^ ill Au,{^usl, vviih tUe second Ajiioj-iean sqaud- 
ron, whence he proi-eeded to Algiers, Tripoli, 
and Tunis, in order to make a display of hi» 
force, the respectable appearance ol' which could 
not fail to mai\e a {\i^('Pf usefn'. and it ina^y be 
hoped a lastin:!^ impression. Having performed- 
this service, the Commodore sailed to Malaga, 
and thence to Gibr.ihijr, where he stopped some 
lime, and reciprocated conjplimenls witli the 
British Commaatler in Chief, thence the squad- 
ron sailed fur the Uniied Stales, and arrived at 
Newport, the 15th November. 

Commodore Bainbridge was joined while at 
Malaga by all Commodore Deratur's squadron ; 
except his own ship. It was as gratifying to the 
American as it was probably mortifying to the 
Englishman, to see siuh a fleet, in a British 
port, and that so soon after the termination of a^ 
>var which was to have annihilated the ** Lillipu- 
tian navy." 

On the arrival of the fleet at Gibraltar, an 
understandiiig was had between Commodore 
Bainbridge and the British commander, that a 
salute of fifteen gnns would be fired from the 
squadron, and a like number returned from the 
ftjrt. By mistake seventeen guns were fired 
from the Independence, the commodore immedi- 
ately despatched an oiUcer to acquaint the com- 
mander of the mistake ; but before the ofiieer 
reachtd the commander, orders were given to 
fire two more guns, in addition to the fifteen al- 
ready fired. This circumstance is material only 
as far as it goes to prove the distinguished re- 
spect shown to the American flag ; a respect for 
the proud fruit of determined valour and con^ 
Siimmate piudence. 



JtPPRNT>IX. 321 

The situation in which the Ameripan eharac- 
.ter WHS about to he plac -d, was truly envious — 
A few montlis after causing: the greatest naval 
power in Europe to haul down its proud flag, 
the Americans were destined, by aid of the ships 
captured from l^ngland, to speak tii under to 
those piratical nionarchs of Africa, to whom that 
very Eiigland was in the habit of paying tribute. 
It remained for America, infant America, tho 
country of Washington and Franklin, to break 
up a system which was if possible, more dis- 
graceful to the civilized nations who submitted 
to it, than to the barbarous states who imposed it. 
But America, by the use she made of victory, 
has gained for herself an honour, and been rais- 
ed to a pinnacle of glory, to which no victory, 
however splendid, couid have raised her. The 
iavouri(e maxim of the nation was and is <«TrJi- 
lionsfov defence, hut not a cent for fri&irfi?.'^— 
True to this policy, she made it a sine qua nou 
of peace, and this being concluded, the humbled 
enemy was permitted to take back those ships, 
which was to remain for ever innocent, as res- 
pected the great western nation. Which of the 
haughty masters of enslaved Europe has ever 
given such proof of magnanimity or of modera- 
tion in the midst of victory so complete? 

Commodore Decatur arrived before Algiers, 
on tlie 29th June, and hoisted a flag of truce on 
board the Guerriere, with the Swedish flag at 
the main. A boat came off with Mr. Norderling, 
consol of Sweden, and the Captaia of the poit, 
to whom the capture of the frigate and brig was 
communicated, and to whom Commodore Deca- 
tur and William Thaler, Esq. i'Cting as commis- 
sioners to negotiate a peace, dilivered a letter 
for the Dey," from th6 President of the Uoit<;d 



322 APPlElVDIX. 

Sfates; and also a note from tlierasclves, of 
wliicli the following is a copy : 

The Americans Commissioners to the Dey of Algiers:, 
The undersigned have the honour to inform his 
highness the of dey Algiers, that they have been ap- 
pointed by the President of the United States of A- 
nierica, con^iissioners plenipotentiary, to treat o 
peace with his hij^hness, and that pursuant to their 
instructions, they are ready to open a negociation for 
the restoration of peace and harmouy between the 
two countries, on terms just and honourable to both 
parlies ; and they feel it incumbent on them to state 
explicity to his highness, that they are instructed to 
treat upon no other principle, than that of perfect 
equality, and on the terms of the most favoured na- 
tions : no stipulation for paying any tribute to Al- 
giers, under any form whatever, will be agreed tOr 
The undersigned have the honour to transmit here- 
with, a letter from the President of the U. States, 
«nd they avail themselves of this occasion to assure 
Lis highness of their high coniideration and profound 
respect. 

The Captain of the port then requested (hat 
Lostilities should cease preceding thenegotiationj 
and that persons might he sent ashore to treat. 
Eoth propositions were rejected, the Anserican 
commissioners declaring that the negotiations 
must he carried on, on board the fleet, and that 
])ostiiif:es asrespeeied vessels, sliould not cease. 
On the following daj, the Swedish consul and 
the captain of the port came on botsrd wiih full 
powers to negotiate. The American commis- 
sioners piodueed the model of a treaty whicli 
they declared would not he departed from in sub- 
stance. Every attempt on the part of Algiers, 
to obtain a modification of it proved fruitless, 
even the restoration of the captured vessels was 
positively refused. Upon consideration, hovv- 



APPE?i^DTX. 323 

-ever, llie American coinmissionors resolved ro 
reslore the captiuvd vessels as afaroi', and not 
as matter of'tii^atv, givin.q; tlie Ali^n-iues (o un- 
derstand, that even tiiis would depend on tlie 
signing of the treaty as presented. The Alge- 
rine ; aptain then proposed a truee, to deliberate 
on the pro-josed terms, tlie reply was, " not a 
minute ; if your squadron appears in sij>;ht he- 
tore the treaty is actualiy signed by the dey, and 
the prisoners sent off. .>urs would eapture them !*' 
It was finally agi^eed that hostilities shouldeease 
when the Algerine boat should l)e perceived 
coming off with a white Hag hoisttd. (he S»ved- 
isii eo sul phdginghis w.>rd of honour not to 
hwist it unless the treaty was signal, and the 
prisoners in the boat. The Swedish i-onsuS and 
Aigerine captain returned on shore, and ahljough 
the distance was full live miles, they came baek 
witiiin three hours with the treaty sig, ed, and 
having with theni tlie prisoneis who were to be 
rele.ised from captivity by the terms of the 
treaty. 

By the terms of this treaty, tlie (]i'y U.xs 
agreed : Vhat *• no tribute, eitiier as bieuMi^l 
presents, or under any form or name whattver, 
sfjull ever be required by t!ie dt\v and reg«Micy 
of Algiers, from the United States of \meri: a." 

I'hatthedey shall deliver up to the Vmeri- 
Cftn squadron •* all the American citize ss imw 
in their possession, amounting to ten, mure oc 
less." 

** A just and full compensation shall be made 
by the i\cy of Algiers to such citizens of th& 
United States as have bet'n captured a -d detain- 
ed by Aigerine cruizers, or wlio have bi^en 
forced to aimn<!on their property in Algiers. \n 
Tiolation of the twenty- second article of the 



S24 APPENDIX. 

treaty of peace and amitj', conelucled l)e<w6^n 
the Uniled States aud the dey of Algiers, on the 
5th of September, 1795." 

<» And it is agreed between the eontraeting 
parties, that in lieu of the a!)ove, the dey of Al- 
giers shall eause to be delivered forthwith into 
the liands of the Ameriean < onsul, residing at 
Algiers, the whole of a quantity of bales of cot- 
to», left hy the Liie eonsui general of the United 
States, in the pub ie uiagazines in Algiers, and 
that he shall pay into tlie hands of the said con- 
sul the sum i>f ten thousand Spanish dollars." 

** That noeitiztnor subject of either party, or 
their jii- )pert> if Hjund on board the vessel of 
an,v power with which either may be hereafter 
at war, shall bo drfained or confiscated ; and, 
00 00 piTte5ree, s]«aH any citizen ^of the United 
Sr.itcs, be hereafter kept in a stale of slavery by 
the dey." 

•» Vessels of eiJher of the contracting parties, 
putting into the ports of the other, and having 
nei d of {)iovi<?ions or other supplies, shall be 
furnished at the maiket price — and if any such 
vessel should so pnt in from a distance at sea, 
and have occasion to repair, he shall be at U- 
hi rty to land, and re-embark her cargo, with- 
out paying any custoujs or duties whatever, but 
in no case shall shi^ be compelled to latid htr 
carg^j." 

*♦ I'hjit should a vcsspI of either of the con- 
tracting parties he cast on shore within the ter- 
Titoiiesof the other, all pr(»per asssistance should 
be given tt) ihe crew — no jiUluge shall be allow- 
ed'' 

•» The consul of the United States of Ame- 
ric:^ shall not be responsible for the debts con- 
tiiscied by citizens of his own nation, uule:^ 



APPENBiX, S2g 

lie previously gives written obligations so to 
ao." 

^« That if any christian slave should make 
their escape, and go on board any ship of war of 
the United Slates that may be before the city 
of z\lgiers, Ihey shall not be required back^agaiUf 
nor shall any payment be required for the said 
christians." 

•* That as the government of the United 
States of America has in itself no character of 
enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility 
of any nation, and as the said States have neveu 
entered into any voluntary war or act of hostili- 
ty, except in defence of their just rights on the 
high seas, it is declared by the contracting par- 
ties, that no pretext arising from religious opi- 
nioas shall ever produce an interruption of the 
liarmony existing between the two nations ; and 
the consuls and agents of both nations shall have 
liberty to celebrate the rites of their respective 
religions in their own houses," 

*• The consuls respectively shall have liberty 
and personal security given (hem to travel with- 
in the territories ©feach other. b.»th by land and 
sea, and shall not be prevented frojn going on 
board any vessels they may tijink proper to visit: 
they shall likewise have the liberty to appoint 
their own drogoman and broker " 

•» In ease of any dispute arising from the vio- 
lation of any of the articles of this treaty, no ap- 
peal shall he made to arms, nor shall war be de- 
clared 01 any pnHext whatever ; but if the con- 
sul residing at the place where the dispute shall 
liappen, shail not be able to settle the same, the 
^'sverninerit of that country shall state their 
igf^i'vtioee i« writing, and trans.Miit the same t« 
the government of lue other, and the period of 
c c 



S26" AFPEN'BIX* 

three months shall be allowed for answevs io be 
returned, during which time no hostility shall be 
permitted by either party ; aad in ease the 
grievances are not redressed, and a war should 
be the event, the consuls and citizens and sub- 
jects of both parties respectivelj, shall be per- 
mitted to embark with their effects uniiiolested, 
on board of what vessel or vessels they shall 
think proper, reasonable time being allowed for 
that purpose.-' 

<< If in the course of events, a war should 
break out between the two nations, the prisoners 
captured by either party shall not be made 
slaves, they shall not be forced to hard labour^ 
or other confinement than such as may be ne- 
cessary to secure their safe keeping, and shall 
foe exchanged rank for rank ; and it is agreed 
that prisoners sliail be exchanged in twelve 
months after their capture, and the exchange 
may be effected by any private individual, legally 
authorised by either of the parties.^' 

<* If any of the Harbary states or other powers 
at war with the United States, shall capture 
any American vessel, and send her into any port 
'©f the regency of Algiers, they shall not be per- 
mitted to sell her, but shall be forced to depart 
the port, on procuring the requisite supplies of 
provisions ; but the vessels of war of the United 
States, with any prizes they may capture from 
their enemies shall have liberty to frequent the 
ports of Algiers, for refreshments of any kind, 
and to such prizes, in the said ports, without 
any other customs or duties, than such as are 
eiistomary on ordinary commercial importa- 

tiOBS.'* 

<» If any of the citizens of the United States, or 
any person under their protection., shall have 



any disputes with cacli. other, the consul shiiU 
decide between the parties; and whenever tiie 
conbui shall require any aid or assistance from 
the governnteni of Algiers, to enforce his deci- 
sions, it shall be iminediately granted to him ; 
and if any disputes shall arise between any citi- 
zens of the United States and the citizens op 
subjects of any other nation having a consul op 
agent in Algiers, such disputes shall be settled by 
the consul-i or agents of the respective nation; 
and any disputes or suits at law, that may take 
place between any citizens of the United States 
and the subjects of the regency of Algiers, shall 
fee decided by the Dey in person, and no other." 

*• if a citizen of the United States should kill, 
wound, or strike a subject of Algiers, or, on the 
contrary, a subject of Algiers should kill, wounds 
er strike a citizen of the United States, the law 
of the country shall lake place, aed equal jus- 
tice shall be rendered, the consul assisting at the 
trial; but the sentence of punishment against an 
American citizen shall not be greater or more 
severe, then it would be against a Turk in the 
same predicament; and if any delinquent sliould 
make his escape, the consul shall not be respon- 
sible for him in any manner whatever.'* 

"The consul of the United States of Ame- 
rica shall not be required to pay any customs or 
duties whatever on any thing he imports from a 
foreign country for the use of his house and 
iamilj." 

^•Should any of the citizen of the United 
States of America die within the limits of the 
legency of Algiers, the Bey and his subjects shall 
not interfere with the property of the deseased, 
but shall be under the immediate direction of 
the cousul, unless other^Yise disposed of by wJlL'* 



328 AFPENBIS. 

The historian has an unpleasant- (ask, in be* 
ing compelled to close tlie detail of such glorious 
txploits, by recounting a misfortune >%hich, Avhile 
il takes nothing from the lustre of our arms^ 
sinks grief deep into the heart of the citizen. 

The United States armed in defence of their 
jiational rights, and the liberty of the citizen. 
From the deck of his floating battery, Decalui* 
demanded the release of his fellow citizens held 
in bondage: the African tyrant trembled, the 
•itizen's chains fell from his limbs, and he was 
fieed — but, alas! the exultation was momentary. 

The United States' brig of war Epervier was 
despatched (o the United States to announce the 
glac^ tidings, but she did not reach her destina- 
tion. She saiied on the lOth July, was seen ou 
the 8th August in lat. 59, 4, N. long. 61, 18, W. 
limder double reefed topsails j the next day there 
was a very heavy blow, and she probably foun- 
idered during the gale f if not then, she must 
bave been lost by some subsequent mishap, as 
from the length of time since she was seen, na 
hope remains of her safety ; and not one sur- 
vived to tell the mournful event. On board her 
wereLt. Com. Shubrick; Lieut. Barnwell ; Lieut. 
Drury ; sailing master Wright ; midshipmen 
Coulter, and Hunter, and several others. Pas- 
lengers, Capt. Lewis ; Lieuts. Neal and YarnelL 
The Americans released at Algiers were ^hq^ on 
Iward. 



TUB EK», 



INDEX. 



i 



Accomack (Va.) militia, bravery of, 224. 

Act declaring war, 19 ; vote of Congress, 17** 

Adiras frigate, destruction of the, 249, 

Adams and Caledonia, (brigs) retaken from the ene- 
my, 5 8. 

Alert, British sloop of war, taken by tl\e Essex, 46. 

Alexandria, plunder of, 231 ; bold attempt by com- 
modore Rodgers, captains Perry and Porter, to 
prevent the return of the enemy, 2^. 

Algerine declaration of war, 305. 

Algerines, proceedings agaiast, by tlie United States^ 
see Appendix. 

Allen, captain, bravery of, 24^. 

Appendix, 313. 

Argus, U. S brig, capture of the, 14S. 

Armistice on the northern frontier, 41 ; terniinatioR 
of, 42. 

Army, state of the, 2 1 . 

Arrest of a supposed Spy, 31, 

Asp, U S. schooner, brave defence of the, ITf, 

Baltimore, approach to, and attack on, 232. 

Barbarity of the enemy, 102, i84. 

Barney, commodore, encounters of, with the enemjv 
225, 226 ; destruction of his flotilla, 228. 

Barratarians, capture and dispersion of the, 393. 

Beaver Dams, engagement at, 1 01. 

Belfast entered by the enemy, 250. 

Black Rock visited by the enemy, 104; 

Blue Lights, 193. 

Boxer, British brig, taken by the Enterprise, 149. 

Burrows and BIythe, captains, funeral honours to, 152;. 

Bridge^^ater, battle of, 255. 

Belview, Fort ; see Fort Bclview. 

Boyd, General, succeeds General Dearborn^ 10T» 

Ki V <^ • 



330 INl^EX. 

British subjects, order respecting, 26. 
Brownstown, baitle at, 40. 

Castine taken by the enemy, 249. 
Ceder-point, landing of the enemy at, 225. 

Champlain, arrival of grand British army at, 267 ^ 
arrival of before Plattsburgh, 268 ; engagement 
Afith the American army, 271 ; retreat of the ene- 
my, 272. 

Champlain lake, engagement on, 269. 

Chandler and Winder, generals, capture of, 96. 

Chapin, captain, escape of, 103; skirmish with the 
enemy, 108 : expedition of, against the enemy^ 
109 ; affair near fort George 156. 

Chaptico, affair at, 237 

Cliateaguay, battle at, 137. 

Chauncey, commodore, cruises and transactions of^ 
on lake Ontario, 7 L 83j 110 to 115. 

Chesapeake frigate, restoration of the seamen of, by^ 
the enemy, 26: arrival of, from a cruise, 79 ; cap- 
ture of 90 ^ extract from a French paper respect* 
ing, 94 ; treatment of the crew, 91 . 

Chesapeake bay, transactions in the, 182. 

Chicago, attack on, and massacre at, 66. 

Chippewa, skirmishing near, 251 ; battle at, 252. 

Citizens of the U. Stales ordered to quit Canada, 45. 

Commissioners to negotiate a peace, appointment of^ 
300 ; by the British government, 301. 

Congress, proceedings of, 16, 194. 

Congress, frigate, arrival of the, from a cruise, 19 3. 

Constitution, frigate, 28 ; engagement of, with the^ 
Java, 72. 

Cranberry creek, affair at, 108. 

Croghan, major George, defence of Lower Sandusky 
by, 129. 

Cumberland Island, landing of the^ enemy at, 294» 

Cuyler, major, death of, 59. 

Cyane and Levant, British sloops, capture of the, 2$S^». 

Dart, British armed sloop, capture of the, 191, 

,^artmc.or prison; massacre at, 302. 



INDEX, 331 

Dearborn, p^eneral, retires from the army, 107. 
Dearborn, foru massacre at, see Chicago. 
Decatur, coniraoriore, fleet U!.der command of, sails 
from New-YoiHi, 185; chased into JYew-London, 

De- laration of war by the Six Nations of Indians, 10ft. 
Detention of prisoners of war, by the enemy, under 

pretext that they were British subjects, reprisals, 

210, 211 ; proceedings of Congress thereon, 212 
Detroiti surrender of, 38. 
Dominico, British fchoojer, capture of the, by the U, 

S. schooner Decatur, 147. 
Duel, 5 6. 

Eagle, British tender, capture of the, 190. 
Eastport, taken by the enemy, 244. 
Eidridge, lieutenant, and several of his men killed hy 

the Indians, 105. 
Epervier^ British brig, taken by the U. S. sloop of 

war Peacock, 273 ; lossof tiie, 328. 
Erie, British fort, taken by the Americans, S6, 250; 

attempt of the enemy to storm, 258 ; batteries o-f 

the enemy stormed, by order of general Brown, 

261 ; evacuated, 267. 
Essex frigate, cruise of the, 46, 267. 
Extracts from public prints, 20, 25. 
Federal Gazette, destruction of the office of the, at 

BdUimore, 25 
Flotilla, for the protection of the Chesapeake bay, 223. 
Fort Belview, desperate attack on, 67. 
Fort Boyer, attack of, 281, 296. 
Fort Erie, see Erie. 
Fort George, taken by the Americans, 84, 85 ; at* 

tack on pickets at, 106, 109. 
Fort Schlosser, entered by the enemy, 106. 
Fort Philip, defence of, 288. 

Fort Warburton, evacuation and destruction of, 23 IV- 
Forty-mile-creek, transactions at, 99. 
Joster, Mr. (British Minister) departure of, 27. 



532 IJTDEX. 

Franklin, boat, brave defence of, 539. 

Frederick and Grorgetown, (Md.) burned, 170. 

French -mill ^, affdir at, 59. 

Frenchiown (Raisin) massacre of prisoners at, 69. 

Frenchtown (Klk river) burned, 1G9. 

Frolic, British sloop, taken by the W^asp, 61; both: 
sloops taken by the Poictiers, 62. 

Frolic, U. S. sloop, taken by the enemy, 274. 

Gaines, general, assumes the command at Erie, 259. 

Gardner's Island, affair at, 188. 

Gennesee river, captureton, 61. 

George's Island, landing of the enemy thereon, 183. 

Georgia legislature, proceedings of, 197. 

Georgetown burned by the enemy, 170. 

Ghent, negociations at, 301. 

Growler and Eagle, U. S, sloops taken by the enemy 
on Lake Champlain, I'JS. 

Growler and Julia, U. S. vessels, captured by the 
enemy on Lake Ontario, 112. 

Guerriere, British frigate, capture of the, 42. 

Gun-boat No. 121, taken by the enemy, 180. 

Gun-boats near New-Orleans, taken by the enemy^ 
282. 

Gun-boats, attacks by, on the enemy near Sandy- 
Hook and New-London, 241. 

Hamilton and Scourge, U. S. schooners, foundered 
on Lake Ootario, 111. 

Hampton, barbarous proceedings of the enemy at, 17S 

Hardy, British commodore, blockades th€ coast of 
New- England, 240. 

Harrison, JVm Henry, appointed to the command of 
the North ?festern army, 66 ; takes Fort Maiden, 
123 ; pursues the enemy, 124 ; overtakes and de- 
feats him at the Moravian tow s, 125 ; discharges 
the militia, 129 ; arrives with his army at Bik^k- 
rock, 129. 

Harrison fort, attack of, 67. 

Havre-de-gracc, transactions of the CHCmy at, 16^. 

Historical retrospect, 7. 



INDEX. 33S 

^ornet, U. S. sloop, blockades the Bonne Citoynne 
in the hdibour of ^t. Salvador, 75 ; engages and 
captures the British brig of war Peacock, ib ; 
challenges captain Greene of the Bonne Citoy- 
enne, 79. 

Hull, general, appointed to command the North 
Western army, 33 ; seizure of his baggage and 
hospital stores, 34 ; invades Canada, i6 ; his proc- 
lamation, ib ; transactions in Canada, 37 ; evacua- 
tion of Canada, id ; effect on the public mind, 65 j 
his trial, 215. 

Imprisonment of American citizens taken under 
arms, on the plea of their being British subjects, 
212; retaliation, r5 ; report on the subject made 
to Congress, by the sf cretary of state, 2 1 3. 

Indiisns, North-Western, expedition against the, 67; 
sue for peace, 124; inquiry by Congress respect» 
ing, 194; Southern, hostility of the, 195; engage- 
ments with, 195, 196, 198, 199, 200, 201 ; pcac^ 
•with, 211. 

Intercourse, criminal, with the enemy, 181. 

Jz.»id, general, march of, from Plattsburgh to Nevif 
York, 266. 

Jackson, general, commands the forces sent against 
the Southern Indians, 193. 

Kent Island, in the Chesapeake, taken possession of^ 
by the enemy, 182. 

La Cole, engagement at, 2 1 8. 

Lawrence, captain, blockades the Bonne Citoyenne, 
75 ; captures the brig of war Peacock, ib ; death 
of, 91 ; honours to his memory, 93, 94. 

Lewis, commodore, drives the enemy from Long* 
Island Sound, 189; engages the enemy, 241 . 

Lewistown, requisition on, 168; bombardment of, 1 69. 

Little York, in Canada, taken by the Americans, 8S, 

Long point, pxpedition to, 223. 

Lower Marlborough, burning of property at, 226. 

M'Clure, address of, to the patriots of the western 
district, 155; operations of, 155, 157, 158 ; just!-. 

fies his condiict, 164. 



S3i* INDEX. 

M'Keon, captain> brave conduct of, 165. 
M'Doiiough, commodore, defeats the enemy' oia» 

Lake Champium, 269. 
Macedonian, Briiish frigate, capture of, 63. 
Maguago, battle of, 41. 
Massasquoi bay, affair at, 146. 
Meigs, fort, attack of, 80. 

Miehilimackinac, taken by the enemy, 28 ; expedi- 
tion against, 263 ; barbarous conduct of the cn^> 

vny to prisoners, 265. 
Mims, fort, massacre of the garrison of,- ]96. 
Mix, Mr. attempt of, to destroy the Plantagcnet ty 

a torpedo, 178. 
Mobile, taken by general ^^ilkinson, 295. 
IVioravian towns, battle at the, 125. 
Mount Depart, affair at, 243. 
Nautilus, U S schooner, taken by the enenny, 2T> 
N«vy. list of, 21. 306. 
Negroes, seizure of, 184. 
Ne\v-Orleans, approach of the enemy to, and battl»^ 

near, 282. 
New-York, meeting in the park of, 247 ; voluntary 

work on the fortification of, 248. 
Niagara, fort, cannonade of, 54 ; frontier ravaged by 

the enemy, 159; defence of by captain M'Keoii, 

165; taken by the enenj, 159. 
Norfolk, attack of 1 70 ; aff>.ir near, 185. 
North Carolina, invasion of, 178. 
O'Beyle, James, offers a reward for the head or cars 

of Admiral Cockburn, 176. 
Odeltown, engagement at, 218. 
Ogdensburg, bombardment of, 60. 
O^Neil, conduct of, at Havre-de-Grace, 170. 
Oswego, fort» attack of, 2 1 9. 
Otter-creek, defence of, 223. 
Owl-head-nurrows, affair at, 1 86. 
pagan creek, the enemy repulsed at, 176. 
Paris taken, 216 ; effect on the war, 216,- 239. 
Penny* Joshua, taken by the enemy, 189. 
Pensacoia entered by the American army, 296. 



INDEX. SoS 

Perry, commodore, defeats and captures the enemy 
on Lake Erie, 1 ;7; statement of the foice of the 
American and Briiish fleets, llO- Ir.conic letter, 
121 ; co-ojierates with general Harrison, 123. 
Pettipaug, capture of by the enemy, 240. 
Pike, ijenera!, death of 83. 
Placard, 146. 

Plattsburg entered by the enemy. 133 ; battle, at, 27). 
Point Petre, carried by storm, 294. 
Preface, 2, 

Preparation for war, 29. 
President's Message, 14. 

President Frigate, cap u red by the enemy, 29^7. 
Prevost, general, proclamation by, 45. 
P^-i^eS; i.umbcr of captured during the war, 308. 
Pultneyville, enemy at, 222. 
Queenstown, (Chesapeake bay,) entered by the en^- 

my. 183. "^ 

Queenstoij, battle of 46 to 5 1 . 
Hecruiting commenced. 30. 
Heindeer, British brig, taken by the Wasp. 274. 
Rodgers, commodor*i, cruise of, 22, 74, 153. 
Russian mediation, 300. 
Socket's Harbour, attack of, 43, 88. 
.Sand Hills, affair at, 183. 
Sandy Creek, *.fr*ir at, 22 1 . 
Saybrook, attempt of the enemy to land at, 188. 
Scituate, enemy at, ^^43. 

Scudder's, Mr. attempt to destroy the Rcimilies, ISf. 
Smyth, general, proclamation of, 5'2; prep..r tion lop 

a descent on Canada, 55 : aban-ions tlv dtsign, ib, 

his motives, ?7> sttUement \.y grent r.il Po;t«r, 56; 

duel, fZ' ; reply of general Siuyth to gcnerul Porter's 

statement, 57. 
Sqiiam, enemy at, 244. 
Stoney creek, battle of, 95; retreat of the America! 

army, 98. 
St. Lawrence, successful cruise on the. ^07.' 
■St- LaVrrence, a British ship of 90 guns, on lake On-. 

iario, 266. 



Sofi INDKX. 

^t. Tnigoes, landing of the enemy at, 232. 

St. Michaf Ts (Chesapeake Bay) attack on, 182e 

St. Mary*s, capitulation of, 294. 

St. Mary's river, transactions on, 297. 

Stonington, the enemy's dish at, 244. 

Suspension of hostilities, 41. 

Syren, IT. S. brig, capture of, by the enemy, 299. 

Tecumseh, death of, 128. 

Tennessee legislature, resolution of, 17. 

Treat, captain, dismissal from the army, 251 ; tri^l 
and acquittal of, 252. 

Treaty of peace ratified, 302. 

United States and Macedonian, frigates, and Hornetj 
sail from New- York, 186; chased into New-Lon- 
don, ib. 

Van Rensselaer enters Canada, 46; takes a redoubt 
on the heights of Queenston, 48 ; defeat and sur- 
render of the American army, 50 ; treatment of 
pri^ioiers, 51 ; resignation of the general, ib^ re- 
port of colonel Mullany, note. 49. 

Vermont, governor of, calls home the militia from 
the service of the United States, 192. 

Viper, United Slates' brig, taken by the enemy, 75. 

Vixen, U. S brig, taken by the enemy, 95. 

War declared by procl-^mation, 19. 

Warreu, admiral, arrival of, at Halifax, 167 ; off N"* 
York, ib ; blockades the Chesapeake'bay, and Dela- 
ware, 168 ; blockades l.ong^-Ifland sound, 192. 

Washington city, approach to, and capture of, by the 
fnemy, 227, to 231. 

"W t the « ford, sprcch of, 21 1. 

Wilkinson general, proceeds toward Montreal, 135 ; 
abandons the design, and goes into winter quar- 
ters, 144. 

Williams, Mrs. bravery of, 135. 

Williamsburgh, battle of, 14 1, 145. 

"VVinchcstcr, general, defeat of, at Frenchtowni 62» 
ir^issacre of his men, 69. 



BC 




ST. AUGUSTINE • •«'^ , ^^Tl^ - "f ' 

%, FLA. ; ^^-^^^ °.¥m¥; .^^•"' 



ST. AUGUSTINE ^ ^^ > k^^^l-2 




